Ocelot 143 may 2018

No: 143 May 2018

Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire

Free

The annual Ocelot Festival Guide 2018

All you need to know about being out standing in your field this summer p24

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MAY ISSUE

For Starters

06 Encyclopaedia Oceloticca Lifestyle

08 Get Away 12 Style 14 Tech 15 Film Brews and Eats

18 Wine not?

19 Brewery Bird 20 Recipe Arts and Culture

22 The Theatre Guide Music

24 The Festival Guide 42 Gig Monkey 43 Music News 44 Gig List The Final Bit of the magazine

46 Agony Girl

It’s festival time

We love this time of year at Castle Ocelot.

At the moment if you were a fly on the wall you would see us busy bees trying to air our tents, getting our festival glad rags ready and making sure we’ve got the one festival essential - a bumbag (as without a bumbag the world would fall into chaos, cats would marry dogs, presidents would be picked from the fringes of celebrity television and you might lose your credit card and phone).

I know I say this every year but this year’s festivals are lookin’ better than ever.

Boomtown (pictured) has got the Gorillaz ffs!

It’s definitely an exciting time and as always we’re at the forefront of your festival planning letting you know what’s where, who’s who and when’s when.

Unfortunately we’ve had to sacrifice some of our usual shenanigans to make way for the mammoth 15 page festival guide so the denizens of Bassett Rivers are taking a month’s break.

Let’s hope they don’t get into too much trouble during their sabbatical.

But we still have Gig Monkey, Brewery Bird, Agony Girl and a load of other stuff so if a festival isn’t up your street (and judging by how many there are there probably is one up your street!) then there’s loads of other stuff to get your teeth into.

Write in to me at jamie@theocelot.co.uk

Jamie Hill

Editor: Jamie Hill - jamie@theocelot.co.uk Deputy: Ben Fitzgerald - ben@theocelot.co.uk Reporter: Claire Dukes - claire@theocelot.co.uk Sales: Dave Stewart dave@theocelot.co.uk - 07872 176999 Rosy Presley rosy@positivemediagroup. press - 07717 501790 Nataley Fryer nataley@positivemedia group.press - 07769 978823 Telephone: 01793 781986 Publisher: Positive Media Group, Unit 3, Arclite House, Peatmoor, Swindon SN5 5YN Printers: Bishops, Portsmouth Ocelot 143.indd 3

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Claire Dukes

By Claire Dukes

When Venus collides with Mars

We’re all aware of where men and women are supposed to have come from.

If metaphorically speaking Venus and Mars collided - with the appropriate genders being on their allocated planet - and then proceeded to break away, everyone scrambling to hold on tight to avoid plummeting to their death, where would you jump if caught between the two? The planet you’re supposed to be on, or the one that feels natural and safe?

When being taught sociology I found it fasinating, but granted this was over 6 years ago.

Could I sit down in the same class in 2018 and be taught the same gender formula? Probably. But evolution would suggest to me that things aren’t so black and white these days - is this wrong or right?

During school I faced my

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own transition - I cut my hair pixie style and was mistaken for a boy a few times. I wasn’t insulted - particularly at college when my Patti Smith inspired, and oversized, shirts came out.

“What’s wrong with blurring the lines and creating some chaos in the system I’m clearly not adhering to so well?” I would wonder, as I’ve never been a girly girl. In the same way I’m not insulted when males dress femininely - it doesn’t undermine who they are internally, from my perspective at least.

To say everyone should agree with me would contradict my understanding that humans are not all the same. For men and women there are a lot of interchangable variables, from nature to nurture, that affect one’s stroll down the path called life.

Suggestively there are those that feel more comfortable with guidelines and an identifiable

consistency to be able to catergorize things, or people. On the flip side there are those who need a little bit more room for expressive manoeuvre, and feel less comfortable in an allocated box. In 2018 this is still aggressively debated, like with Drag Queen Story Time whereby Drag Queens read stories to primary school children.

One school in Bristol came under fire last year with a parent believing their child should not be exposed to such a thing.

The school, however, does give parents the option for their children not to attend but maintains that it’s a positive thing for their children to acknowledge and be exposed to diversity in this ever changing social climate By condemning developing cultures within today’s society, surely this would lead to ostracization? Aren’t we all after the same thing? To feel comfortable in our own shoes.

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Science Fact: The Antikythera mechanism

Encyclopedia Ocelotica

by Ben Fitzgerald

Ancient technology Most of us just assume that human development moves forward in a straight line - after all, everything is more sophisticated than it ever has been.

A century ago, our capital cities were thronged with people riding horses and sporting outrageous twirly moustaches but now the very same streets are filled with people driving satellite guided electric cars - who now can’t remember the last time man walked on the moon. Inexplicably the twirly moustaches are making a comeback.

However this linear view of progress was blown out of the water by a discovery made in 1902 by a sponge diver looking for loot in an ancient wreck off the coast of the Greek island of Antikythera.

Among a variety of valuable artefacts recovered from the ship which sank around 76 BC, was a strange corroded lump of bronze and wood which sat in storage in the National Museum of Archaeology in Athens for two years until archaeologist Valerios Stais found that one of the pieces of rock had a gear wheel embedded in it.

Subsequent x-rays revealed that the device had no fewer than 37 individual gears - and is generally thought to be the first known analogue computer, used for predicting the positions of planets and stars, eclipses and phases of the moon, years in advance. It could also track the

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four-year cycle of the Olympic Games.

In the 50 years following its discovery, most scholars of the time considered it to be prochronistic - in other words too complex to have been made at the same time as the other objects found at the wreck site.

Its discovery called for a reassessment of assumptions about ancient technology - which appears to have been far more advanced than what could be achieved in following centuries.

In fact the incredible thing is that this level of sophistication appears to have been lost at

Above: the Antikythera mechanism. Inset: a reconstruction of the mechanism as it might have looked

some point in antiquity and work approaching the same level of complexity did not appear again until the development of astronomical clocks in Europe in the 14th century.

Historical curveballs like this may lead us to speculate on what other innovations have been created by great civilisations in the past that are now lost in the mists of time.

www.theocelot.co.uk

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Get Away

The land of the rising sun Ocelot editor Jamie Hill spent two weeks in Japan experiencing cat cafes, robots that weren’t really robots and the ancient art of karaoke.

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Japan’s only half a day’s flight away but it’s like you’re travelling to an alien planet where every rule is turned on its head and life as you know it is a distant memory. The ancient and the modern combined to create this strangely wonderful world.

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Japan is a strange and wonderful place.

It’s only half a day’s flight away but it’s like you’re travelling to an alien planet where every rule is turned on its head and life as you know it is a distant memory.

My trip took place at the end of March and the beginning of April timed perfectly for the Sakura season - the two weeks that the cherry blossoms bloom all over the country and the Japanese celebrate by having picnics everywhere.

It’s hard to sum up Japan. It’s traditional and regimented in some respects and completely bonkers to us westerners in others. The modern meets the ancient.

It’s a bold place unlike any other on earth and for a westerner it can make your head explode. But the people have respect and etiquette ingrained into them as part of the culture and that seeps through every aspect of Japan life. I love it.

During my trip I ventured through the heady lights of Tokyo, the business-like Osaka where thousands of company men all dress as if they’ve stepped off the set of Reservoir Dogs as they head off eerily silent to work and finally Kyoto where ancient Japanese culture seeps out of every corner.

It was definitely a land of contrasts, where you can experience a coffee surrounded by cats at

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one of their many cat cafes, or go on a day trip to Mount Fuji but never see it as the flirtatious beast never seemed to want to come out from behind cloud cover (I eventually saw it from the Shinkansen - the bullet train on my way back to Tokyo from Kyoto to catch my flight home.)

I definitely got a taste for Japan during my stay.

And when I say taste I’m talking about the food. It’s flippin’ delicious (or oishi as the Japanese would say!)

I had this preconceived idea that it would just be raw fish. And although I like raw fish as much as the next guy, I was dreading being on a diet of just that for a fortnight.

And although I have had a bountiful amount of Sashimi (strips of delicious raw fish) and sushi there’s so much more here and I’ve only scratched the tasty surface.

Special mention goes to unagi grilled eels on a bed of rice or ramen noodles - that is as

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Get Away

far from the awful jellied eels we have in England as you can get as this actually tastes great and is edible.

Then there’s teppanyaki - various cuts of meat you cook yourself at the table. Pretty damn good.

And let’s not forget takoyaki - octopus served in a ball of tempura batter and smothered in sauce making it the most delicious thing I’ve ever eaten.

One night in Osaka we ventured to the more expensive side of the Japanese palette with Kobe beef. Cooked in front of us by a Japanese chef and then served in strips with various veg and rice. The chef gave us instructions on how to eat each medium rare steak strip - one portion on its own with no sauce, one strip with wasabi (kind of Japanese horseradish) and soy sauce and one slice with salt and garlic. Oh and you eat the veg with miso

sauce. It was like a party in my mouth.

Japan didn’t do my waistline any good.

In Kyoto The Golden Pavilion has definitely earnt its place as a world heritage site being all golden and that (I tried to forget that I wasn’t looking at the 800 year old pavilion that had been latterly used as a zen palace but at a 50 year old exact replica after the original burnt down in the fifties!)

It was a day of crowds though.

You basically couldn’t move for people trying to take camera phone snaps of the pavilion from every angle. It’s surrounded by a permanent paparazzi scrum of tourists. It’s the Beyoncé of Japanese traditional attractions.

Next up was the Inari shrine famous for its almost neverending red column entrances.

Another beautiful site. Kimonos

were everywhere and the whole site was awash with colour. You could almost believe that you were in ancient Japan if you squinted and ignored the iPhone wielding crowds that seemed to have followed us from the Golden Pavilion.

Tokyo itself was like a fever dream of neon and noise. There’s so many aspects of Japanese life crammed into everything. From anime and manga which was everywhere to karaoke being performed in every bar which I’m happy to say I went for in a big way after too much sake. There’s one bar in Shinjuku that will be talking about my rendition of ‘Let it Go’ for years to come.

I know that in my two weeks I had barely enough time to scratch the surface. It’s just all so amazing.

I’ll definitely be heading back there one day. But for now I’ll just have to ‘Let it go’.

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SITE

P CAM

ROM

NF OPE

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August 3rd, 4th, 5th 2018

DAY

RS THU

3 days of great music on a rural Organic Wiltshire farm Swindon’s only Small, Funky, Cool Festival on an Organic farm. It’s small cos we like it that way, but that’s not to say we don’t have Amazing Bands, Great Food and Great Beer Located next to our Organic Farm Shop in Purton

This Year’s Acts include

FRIDAY: BINOMIAL - 80's Synth Pop Re-Imagined PENFOLD and HOOCH Party Hits plus 90's Classics SATURDAY: The GO GO FIVE An Explosive Mix of Motown, 60's Soul, Jazz, Blues and Rock and Roll!

DISTANT ECHOES - A Tribute to The JAM SUNDAY: VICE VERSA - Indie Rock from the 70's to Today Marc Hopkins as ROBBIE WILLIAMS plus many more...

NEW FOR THIS YEAR COMEDY from Mirth Control For info and tickets, please visit: www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk

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Style

Be out there Style inspiration from the great outdoors is not a new concept - but this year it’s certainly being done in a refreshing way...

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Style

By Fashion writer Gina Akers

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8 9 Natural, earthy materials give the feeling of being more at one with nature and a great sense of well being.

Wood works particularly well for interesting fashion pieces and highly on trend for rustic home looks.

Sunglasses made from Bamboo {4} are super light and make for very stylish eyewear. Try the TRENTO Black eco sunglasses by Antonio Verde (£50) from www.komodo.co.uk A Wooden Watch? Unisex Kappa Watch (£119.00) at www.watchshop. com The LSTN Wooden Wireless Headphones {5} (£180) are made with sustainably sourced ebony or zebra wood and vegan leather ear pads www.creperecords.com

For a real show piece of craftsmanship Simon Webb has galvanised the beauty of wood and its textures along with the stories of the trees the wood was sourced from, to create the most stunning pens. {6} prices from £52, visit www.simonwebb.co.uk Elvis & Kresse have melded creative thinking with ethical morals and used London’s decommissioned fire hose to make items such as bags, purses, belts and washbags {9}. Check out www. elvisandkresse.com For home the Ella Doran Wood Grain Collection {1} offers a wonderful wood pattern inspired theme. Including tea towels, mugs, lamp shades, place mats, tote bag,

rugs, wallpaper and even chairs! Visit www.elladoran.co.uk If you are looking for a little of the enchanted woodland escape feel for your home, then look no further than {3} Mineheart’s Magic Magnetic Woodland Feathers (£25.50) available from www.mineheart.com Green People offer a wide range of award-winning, high performance skin and hair care products.

Their products have 90% natural and organic ingredients, are vegan, 100% vegetarian and 100% crueltyfree and are now available in super convenient travel sizes, from £5.00 each.

Visit www.greenpeople.co.uk

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Tech

Break free... get a robo-vac!

By Ben Fitzgerald I’ve recently fallen down the rabbit hole of looking at videos of robot vacuum cleaners on YouTube. It was my sordid little secret until I was rumbled by my wife.

Before I could pretend that I was simply watching naked Twister, she grabbed the laptop from my grasp and confronted me with the truth.

“Ah ha! Robot bloody vacuum cleaners! First it was lusting after high-end racing bikes and then this! I thought I knew you…”

Thing is, I actually enjoy vacuum cleaning - and I would miss it if it went.

It’s one of those tasks that makes you feel like you are doing some productive housework and you can also sing Queen’s ‘I want to break free’ at the top of your lungs at the same time - and if you feel comfortable wearing high heels while you’re about it, I’m not going to judge.

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Despite that, there’s something appealing about being able to go to work knowing that while you are away there’s a little droid bustling around doing the hoovering.

Most of the models that I have been obsessing over are able to sense when their battery power is dwindling and then take themselves off to their charging point and fill up on juice.

And they can even sense objects in their way and learn to avoid obstructions in the room.

When it comes to gadgetry I think I’m more in love with the idea than the actual reality.

I think the truth is that I would probably not even mind if the little electronic critter didn’t even do a good cleaning job - if anything it might even make it more endearing.

It would definitely end

up with a name, probably something like Maggie.

Robo-vacs are becoming more mainstream.

They range in price from about £99 for quite lame versions that make a half hearted effort to clean up before taking themselves off for a sit down after quarter of an hour - much like a teenager really; to the high end hunter killer robots that will track down any impurities in your carpet and destroy them. You get what you pay for.

Robo-vacs are rapidly improving and I can see them soon becoming mainstream in the same way that dishwashers have.

Once they develop the ability to climb the stairs, it’s likely they will become an unstoppable force - possibly developing their own hobbies and interests in due course.

The future is uncertain, and a bit concerning.

www.theocelot.co.uk

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Film

Annihilation

By Claire Dukes

I would have loved to have seen this film in the cinema but, without option, I settled for a Netflix screening. I was not left disappointed.

In a nutshell Annihilation was deemed somewhat “too clever” for mainstream audiences after some flops during test screenings which is why Paramount made the executive decision to sell the film to Netflix for international release.

To an extent, I can see why the film would baffle some people depressingly because it requires audiences to use their brain - but I stand firmly on the grounds that on the whole Annihilation is a worthy watch.

For fans of The Descent (2005), I think Annihilation is up your alley - it draws on similarities with the female-led cast all of which are

not typical of the female gender, but with this the characters are incredibly progressive and intellectual which was very refreshing.

After her husband returns from “the shimmer” somewhat disorientated and altered, Lena (Natalie Portman) and four other women - a mix of experts in their relevent fields equipped with combat skills - take it upon themselves to get to the root of this dangerous and toxic area. So far, aside from Lena’s husband, no one has come out alive.

Adherent to its genre Annihilation embodies classic sci-fi conventions touching base with those also affiliated with horror - it’s got edge, fantastical plot turns, gore, and sophistication - and I was happy to watch

something that didn’t rely purely on scare tactics. This film, like the characters, have got the smarts and they’re also very easy to identify with in terms of their problem-solving abilities in challenging postions.

Annihilation is also stunning, which is another reason I would have loved to have seen it on the big screen. In a way it’s the adult version of Avatar with more minimalism and originality - not understanding the how, why and what of the environment the visuals alone are presented as enigmas which drives the suspense throughout the narrative.

I wouldn’t necessarily say you’re missing out by not watching Annihilation, but if you do get curious I think it’s a good recommendation.

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Brews and Eats

Can Prosecco keep the sparkle?

A wine column by Darren Willmott Whether it’s a drink that makes you thirst or curse, there’s no denying that the biggest sparkling wine success of the last ten years has been the surge in popularity for Prosecco.

Majestic recently stated that it was selling ten times more bottles than the well-established Champagne brands.

This wasn’t always the case though and as recently as ten years ago Spain must have felt fairly safe in the knowledge that they had the ‘sparklingalternative-to-Champagne’ market sewn up with Cava.

Made in a similar style to Champagne, but without the prestige of Moét-level brand recognition, they were able to produce fairly similar results at significantly lower prices.

Whilst also a sparkling wine, outside of artisan producers emulating the Champagne style, Prosecco isn’t made in the same way.

The bubbles are added by a carbonation process similar to soft drinks, worlds away from the traditional labour intensive Champagne processes. Instead of fermentation (sugars turning to alcohol) within the bottle itself, Prosecco is made in large tanks and siphoned off to each bottle

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individually. Without time resting on its yeasty deposits, the creamy richness found in Champagne is lost, but gives Prosecco its youthful and vibrant quality, expressly intended for immediate drinking.

This unfussy immediacy, as well as the reduced pricing through simpler production, has proved incredibly popular with the ever cost-conscious buying public.

This is all good for the here-and-now but to ensure a successful future, Prosecco needs to side-step the stigma of simply being a cheaper alternative. Adopted by many a girls’ night out, will the effortless effervescence shortly become a victim of its own success?

For all its perceived snobbery, Champagne has actually done a massive amount to protect its brand and, outside of Champagne truffles and the Champagne named sub-regions of Cognac, you literally can’t label anything as ‘Champagne’ unless it comes from the region.

This makes perfect sense as, when you buy Champagne, you’re buying into the limited prestige.

Prosecco brand preservation seems to have been somewhat sidelined and there is arguably little ongoing value with it being

associated with such retail oddments as popcorn, teabags, crisps or nail varnish. Innocently browsing in a bookshop this very week I spotted a Prosecco cookbook – 100 ways to cook with Prosecco. This is a serious brand devaluation. Price-point is another major consideration.

Despite such obvious Brexit factors meaning that we import European goods at a higher price, and the fact that the more popular a brand is the more a producer will charge for it, late spring frosts and an inconsistent summer means that recent crops were severely curtailed or variably-ripened.

Global wine production in 2017 slumped to a 56 year low and there is simply less to go around.

Experts estimate that for affected regions, including Prosecco, prices could rise by as much as 30%. There’s no denying that Prosecco is still very popular but when a brand scales up so quickly there is almost always a quick deflation to follow.

Can Prosecco sustain such price rises, lack of availability, and over-exposure through tacky 3rd party products? Is Prosecco now a brand on the run? Cheers!

Read Darren’s blog at vinesight.me

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Brews and Eats

Gluten-free beer?

Beer columnist Brewery Bird separates the wheat from the chaff

For those resolving to eat better and live healthier, going ‘free-from’ seems to be the new ‘stop smoking’, as today around one-third of British consumers are buying and eating freefrom food; of whom 22% buy gluten-free products, 19% buy dairy-free products and 16% buy wheat-free and lactose-free products according to gov.uk statistics. Indeed, the UK freefrom industry is heading for a £558 million valuation by the end 2018 (Mintel statistics). And that kind of maths has had everyone from international food giants to micro-breweries clamouring for a piece of the pie.

Gluten v Beer Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye – all principle ingredients in most beers found in the UK and throughout the brewing world. For gluten-intolerant people, where ingesting it can cause bloating and or fatigue, it’s socially inconvenient. In people who suffer from Coeliac disease, it triggers digestive symptoms such as diarrhoea; causing damage to the intestines.

But it’s not just Coeliac sufferers who are avoiding Gluten in their diet. Increasingly

health-conscious adults, keen to take up the latest dietary trends, have been limiting or eliminating gluten from their diets. However latest research claims gluten-free foods on the whole contain more fat, salt and sugar than their gluten-carrying counterparts. But that’s a whole other article and not in this Bird’s remit.

Free-from Beer?

Not only were the terms ‘free –from’ and gluten-free’ rarely spoken 30 years ago, the chances of finding a gluten-free beer were a big fat zero. Then in 2004, after several years of trials Derek Green, himself a gluten-intolerant type, launched Discovery, the UK’s first ever Alternative Grain and naturally GF beer; which is still produced today within Green’s range of gluten and naturally gluten free beers.

Gluten-free beer v Gluten removed Beer Beers brewed from cereals such as rice, millet, buckwheat, corn and sorghum will not trigger the digestive symptoms in coeliacs as discussed above – these are true gluten-free beers.

Gluten-removed beers are made with a special enzyme

in the brewing process which breaks down the gluten protein to get rid of its potentially inflammatory nature; although it could be said that perhaps the term ‘gluten –reduced’ would be a truer description (to qualify as “gluten-free” a product must be 20 parts per million gluten or less). Whilst most drinkers are probably familiar with names such as Estrella Damm GF lager, Celia Premium Czech lager and St Peters G-Free, seen in most pub fridges these days, happily there are increasingly bigger flavoured GF and GR beers more widely available – check out BB’s top options below: Gluten-reduced Beers Magic Rock’s Fantasma (Can) First Chop Brewing Hop 4.1% (Can) Wold Top Scarborough Fair IPA, 6% (Bottle) Monty’s Brewery Dark Secret Stout (Bottle) Kennet & Avon - Savernake Stout 5.3% (Bottle) Brass Castle Hoptical Illusion 4.3% (Can) Autumn Brewing Bavarian Pilsner 4.5% (Bottle) Bellfield Lawless Village IPA 4.5% (Bottle)

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Brews and Eats Spanish-style Swiss chard with chickpeas Swiss chard is a favourite in Spanish kitchens and in this recipe Riverford Cook Anna pairs it with classic Hispanic ingredients – smoked paprika, chickpeas and garlic. It’s lovely warm out of the pan, but even better if left to infuse for an hour and eaten at room temperature.

2 large heads or bunches of Swiss chard (500g–600g) 2–3 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra for garnishing 1 onion, thinly sliced 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 x 400g can chickpeas, drained 1½ tsp smoked paprika ¼ tsp cayenne pepper 2 tsp sherry vinegar, or to taste salt and black pepper Detach the chard leaves from the stems.

Cut the stems into 2cm lengths and the leaves into 5cm-wide ribbons.

Blanch and squeeze the chard stems and leaves.

Heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan and cook the onion with a pinch of salt on a medium heat for about 10 minutes, until soft.

Add the garlic and cook a further 2 minutes.

Add the chickpeas, chard stems, paprika and cayenne and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring often. Finally, stir in the chard leaves and cook for a further 3–4 minutes.

To finish, season with salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and a couple of splashes of sherry vinegar to brighten the flavour.

Make a more substantial meal by adding thickly sliced Spanish cooking chorizo near the beginning, along with the onions, or tinned sardines near the end, along with the chard leaves. For more delicious, healthy recipe ideas, log on to www.riverford. co.uk/recipes

A social history of quiche...

Quiche is one of the few pastry based foods to get caught up in the on-going debate about contemporary masculinity.

The much maligned Quiche is a savoury open tart consisting of a pastry crust filled with eggs, milk or cream and flavoured using cheese, meat, seafood or vegetables.

It is considered quite poncy (because of its French roots) and at house parties attended by various assorted pies and pastries, you will often see the

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quiche sobbing quietly on the shoulder of a reedy spear of asparagus while pork pie and Cornish pastie are in the lounge attempting to beat the world record for press ups in front of a baying crowd of Gregg’s sausage rolls.

The vexed question over the masculinity of quiche was brought to the fore with the 1982 publication of a crap but bestselling book entitled Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche.

In Bruce Feirstein’s ‘tongue-in-

cheek’ book, reflecting the fears and confusion of contemporary 1980s middle class American men, quiche is singled out as an culinary example of the sort of fashionable, trendy thing that real blokes should have nothing to do with.

It’s time to overturn these outmoded views.

Men should recognise that we’re all on the quiche spectrum somewhere - and that it’s actually a super versatile light dish, ideal with a gently tossed salad.

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Theatre list Tuesday May 1 to Saturday May 5

Friday May 11

7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

THEATRE: Thoroughly Modern Millie Times vary - New Theatre, Oxford

DANCE: Ian Waite & Oti Mabuse 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

COMEDY: Stuart Goldsmith 8pm - Swindon Arts Centre

Tuesday May 1

THEATRE: In Place 7.30pm - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

Thursday May 24

THEATRE: Half the World Away 7.30pm - Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford Wednesday May 2 COMEDY: Jeremy Hardy 8pm - Swindon Arts Centre

COMEDY: Richard Herring: Oh Frig I’m 50 7.30pm - The Neeld, Chippenham

THEATRE: Grumpy Old Women to the Rescue 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon COMEDY: Tom Stade: I Swear 7.30pm - Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot

COMEDY: Joseph Morpurgo -

MUSIC: Lankum 8pm - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

Hammerhead 8pm - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

THEATRE: Shappi Korsandi 8pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Tuesday May 15 to Saturday 19

Friday May 25

Thursday May 3

THEATRE: A Midsummer Night Dream Times vary - Oxford Playhouse, Oxford

COMEDY: Morgan & West 7.30pm - Swindon Arts Centre

COMEDY: Adam Hess & Glenn Moore 8pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Tuesday May 15

Saturday May 26

COMEDY: Brian Conley - The Greatest Entertainer 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

FAMILY: Me and My Bee Times vary - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

Thursday May 3 to Saturday May 5 THEATRE: Education, Education, Education Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse

Friday May 4 to Saturday May 5 DANCE: Sullivan School of Dance Legends 8pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Saturday May 5 THEATRE: Half Breed 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Sunday May 6 COMEDY: One Night Only 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon MUSIC: The Waterboys 8pm - New Theatre, Oxford

THEATRE: Love, Bombs and Apples 7.30pm - Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford Wedns May 16 to Saturday May 19 THEATRE: Fragment Times vary - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford Wednesday May 16 COMEDY: Brian Conley - The Greatest Entertainer 7.30pm - New Theatre, Oxford

Tuesday May 8 Saturday May 12

MUSIC: Stacey Kent in Concert 7.30pm - Salisbury Playhouse

MUSICAL: Beautiful - The Carole King

Thursday May 17 to Saturday May 19

Musical Times vary - New Theatre, Oxford

THEATRE: Engine Brake 8pm - Salisbury Playhouse

Tuesday May 8 Thursday May 17

Thursday May 17

FILM: Demons Land Times vary - Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford

COMEDY: Daliso Chaponda 8pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Wednesday May 9

COMEDY: Bill Bailey - Larks in Transit Times vary - New Theatre, Oxford

TALKS: Inspiring People: Jonathan Porritt 7.30pm - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford MUSIC: The Waterboys 8pm - New Theatre, Oxford Thursday May 10 to Saturday June 16 THEATRE: A Midsummer Nights Dream Times vary - Watermill Theatre, Newbury Thursday May 10 to Saturday May 12 THEATRE: Crimes under the Sun Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse THEATRE: Macbeth Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse Thursday May 10 COMEDY: Lee Hurst - ‘Mucking About’ 7.30pm - Cornerstone Arts Centre, Didcot

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Saturday May 12

Friday May 18 Saturday May 19

Sunday May 20 MUSICAL: Everybody Sing - Fame 1pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon COMEDY: One Woman, Sex & The City 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

COMEDY: The Guilty Feminist 7.30pm - Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Sunday May 27 MUSIC: Balletboyz - Fourteen Days 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon THEATRE: Dorothy Parker Takes a Trip 7.30pm - Oxford Playhouse, Oxford THEATRE: Quentin Crisp - Naked Hope 7.30pm - Swindon Arts Centre THEATRE: The Silent Pianist Speaks 7.30pm - Oxford Playhouse, Oxford Monday May 28 to Saturday June 2 THEATRE: 9 to 5 The Musical Times vary - New Theatre, Oxford Tuesday May 29 THEATRE: Tidy Up Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse MUSIC: The Little Mix Experience 1pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon Wednesday May 30 FAMILY: The Little Mochi Man Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse

Monday May 21

MUSIC: Wuthering Heights 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

TALKS: Tony Stockwell 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

COMEDY: Ivo Graham - Educated Guess 8pm - Swindon Arts Centre

Tuesday May 22

Thursday May 31

MUSIC: We’ve Only Just Begun 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

THEATRE: Love on the Links Times vary - Salisbury Playhouse

MUSIC: Frisk 8pm - North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford

TALKS: A Conversation with Heaven 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Wednesday May 23

DANCE: Dreamboys 7.30pm - Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

COMEDY: Danny Baker

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Festival Guide Boomtown Festival Photo by Jody Hartley

Photo cr

The Ocelot’s Festival Guide

By Claire Dukes

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Festival Guide

The season of mud, music, and merriment is upon us

Photo credit: Jody Hartley

Larmer Tree Festival Photo by Phoebe Reeks

This is what I love about festivals - each year they get bigger and better, and 2018 is no exception.

Unfortunately for some, Glastonbury is having a fallow year but will return in 2019. Fortunately there are loads of other festivals on this year, and you don’t have to travel far to get to them. Some of the biggest festivals taking place this year are right here in Ocelotshire including Reading Festival, Wilderness, Truck Festival, Common People Oxford, Larmer Tree, Towersey Festival, Henley Festival, End of The Road, Womad, and many more!

People go to festivals for so many reasons - a little get away, incredible music, the outdoorsy aspect, and culture of it all. Festivals are getting more unique and exhilarating with every year, and they accommodate such a diverse age range.

At The Ocelot we’ve put together all the festivals happening across our regions - hey, maybe we’ll bump into you!

The Big Feastival

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Chippenham Folk Festival 25th-28th May 2018 IN THE BARN 6 Real ales Lunchtime meals Live music sessions all day and night GROANING BOARD food stall, available daily from 4pm Stick & bucket dance competition (Sunday 6pm)

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Friday 9pm BURN THE FIDDLE

Saturday 9pm SHAKE THE BUCKET Monday 4pm JOHN FAIRHURST

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Festival Guide

May 7 to May 20 SWINDON FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE May 7 to May 19 Venue: Swindon Arts Centre “There are premiership footballers and authors who are the same age as the Swindon Festival of Literature!” marvelled event director Matt Holland at the launch of the 25th annual event in March.

Authors include Michael Rosen, Camila Batmanghelidjh, Judy Murray, and A C Grayling. www.swindontheatres.co.uk

WOOD FESTIVAL May 18 to May 20 Venue: Braziers Park, Oxfordshire

If you haven’t heard of Wood before then one thing to know about this particular festival is that it won “A Greener Festival Award” for 2017. Wood also includes over 50 workshops including Creative Writing, Expressive Drawing, T’ai Chi, and Making Cord from Nettles.

This year acts include Yama Warashi, Teetop Flyers, and Nick Cope. www.woodfestival.com

NEWBURY SPRING FESTIVAL May 12 to May 16 Venue: varies

There are nearly 50 events taking place in some amazing venues in and around Newbury during the two weeks of the Festival, which includes performances by distinguished and established musicians alongside some outstanding young talent. As ever, there is a widerange of musical styles to be enjoyed, events for families, fascinating interviews and enlightening talks. www.newburyspringfestival.org.uk

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Festival Guide

MAY 25 to May 28

LECHLADE FESTIVAL May 25 to May 27 Venue: Highworth, GL7 3AL

Headline acts Scouting For Girls, punkrock band From The Jam and glam-rock group Doctor and the Medics, are joined by world-class tribute acts Whole Lotta Led, and Flash – A Tribute to Queen.

“Tickets are selling faster then ever” says festival founder Jennie Rainsford, “we are nearly sold out of live-in vehicle pitches and we’re way ahead of this point last year. We’ve been fortunate to enjoy sunny weather for the last few years and this year’s long-range forecast is looking perfect! The camping areas will open even earlier this year to allow festival-goers to get settled in before the music starts on Friday afternoon. With top tribute bands playing well-known hits from Led Zeppelin and Queen, Friday night is going to be a popular one.”

The festival is now in its 8th year and attracts festival-goers from all over the UK. Over 1000 bands have applied to play this year, the festival team work hard to whittle it down to less than 10%. www.lechladefestival.co.uk

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CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL May 25 to May 28 Venue: varies

This year will be the 47th Chippenham Folk Festival, which will have the town bursting with life, art, culture, and music.

As always the festival will be welcoming an array of entertainment including music, - Alice Jones, Cosmotheka, Pat Smith & Ned Clamp, and Bill Crawford - Ceilidh dancing, family activities, - face painting, singing hats, and the story-telling Gary Bridgens - and the always anticipated parade down the high street which will include First Class Stamp, Bell’s Angels, Chippenham Town Morris Men, and many more! www.chippfolk.co.uk

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Festival Guide

May 4 to June 1

Salisbury Live!

Venue: various

Saints of Sin - May 18

Salisbury Live returns for another set of jampacked weekends of free music across the town throughout May, with two additonal gigs in June.

Salisbury Live takes place across various venues including Salisbury Rugby Club, Winchester Gate, Bridge Tap, Avon Brewery, and Cosy Club, showcasing a wide-range of old and new - including the music itself.

As always Salisbury Live looks to support and promote local talent which this year includes Millers Daughter, Saints of Sin, Rhythm Blasters, Treblemakers, Jess Robyn, All Floyd, and loads more.

Propane Records will also be holding their launch event May 18, from 5.15pm to 6.15pm.

For further information, and to register for free tickets, visit Salisbury Live’s Facebook page @SalisburyLiveEvents

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Festival Guide

May 26 to June 9

Common People Festival May 26 to May 27 Venue: South Park, Oxfordshire

The makers of Bestival bring, essentially, a two day disco to Oxford’s South Park.

Acts include The Jacksons, Ride, James, Maximo Park, The New Power Generation (Prince’s guys), Low Island, and Candy Says. This year Common People introduces the new Carnival Stage which will host the likes of Craig Charles, General Levy, Fred V & Grafix, and many more! www.commonpeople.net

Witney Music Festival

Pawel Sytniewski - Lucky Blue Photography

May 25 to June 9 Venue: various

It’s a two week takeover of music in Witney! Popping up in various venues in the town, Witney Music Festival offers a diverse range of musicians and bands for music lovers from all walks of life. As always there is an opportunity to sign up for Battle of The Bands 2018, with BBC Introducing in attendance. The winning band will get to play at The Witney Music Festival, The Wychwood Festival and Tadstock. Check back in August 17 to 18 www.witneymusicfestival.co.uk.

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Festival Guide

May 31 to June 18

Devizes Arts Festival

June 1 to June 18 Venue: various

The Devizes Arts Fesival kicks off this year with Ann Widdecombe (pictured top left) at the Corn Exchange, the comedian Paul Sinha June 1, followed by an impressive line-up of comedy, film, theatre, and music.

Acts for Devizes Arts Festival include Black is the Color of My Voice (top middle), Doolally Tap: Hot New Orleans Jazz, Dirty Dusting, and “punk princess” Toyah Willcox (top right) and her Full Electric Band. www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk

Vintage Nostalgia Festival June 1 to June 3 Venue: Stockton Park, Wiltshire

The Vintage Nostalgia Festival is a hidden gem held at Stockton Park, Stockton, Wiltshire in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It’s the perfect place to relax and “Live life through rose tinted spectacles for the weekend”.

The festival focuses on the past and offers visitors a unique experience, with live music, vintage fashion, vintage trade stands, classic vintage car display, hot rods, automotive memorabilia, antiques, kitchenalia, traditional crafts and various period exhibits from the turn of century through to the 1980’s.

There is a fabulous line up of live music and dance acts over the weekend offering Jazz, Blues, Pop, Swing, and Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Friday night Headliners are the Juke Box Jets playing a back catalogue of full on 50’s 60’s rock and roll classics.

1000’s of vintage enthusiasts and classic car owners will be in attendance and there will be 100’s of cars on display over the weekend from the 1920’s to the 1970’s. To get a flavour of the festival go to www.vintagenostalgiafestival.co.uk.

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Festival Guide

June 1 to June 3

Hollie Cook, Field Music and Pokey LaFarge to perform at Wychwood Festival

Wychwood Festival Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse

Artists already announced include the undisputed kings of flamenco, salsa and pop infusion The Gyspy Kings, indie powerhouse Baxter Dury, 90s Britpop stalwarts Shed Seven, The Go! Team, The Beat Ft. Ranking Roger, Nina Nesbitt, and Feeder. Other acts include Hollie Cook, Pokey LaFarge, Queen Zee, Selby and the Dharma Blitz and many more! www.wychwoodfestival.com

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Festival Guide

June 13 to July 20 BLUE SKY FESTIVAL June 13 to June 17 Venue: The Pound Arts Centre, Corsham

A fun-filled family day out at Corsham’s festival of the arts.

Throughout the festival families will be able to enjoy a whole range of exhibitions, creative workshops, and live entertainment including music and theatre.

Visit their Facebook page @blueskyfestival

FOREST LIVE June 14 to June15 Venue: Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire

Fancy a festival in a forest? This breath-taking venue will be headlining acts including George Ezra, Paloma Faith, The Script, UB40, and many more special guests. www.forestry.gov.uk/music

THE BEACON FESTIVAL June 15 to June 16 Venue: Watlington Hill Farm, Oxfordshire

Four stages with over 40 acts, and that’s not just musician. Joining the likes of Killerz, Rusty Shackle, and Dury Service is a host of comedians including Katherine Atkinson, Daniel Vallender, and James Tully - with the comedy line-up running until 2am. www.beaconfestival.net

STONEHENGE SOLSTICE FESTIVAL June 18 to June 21 Venue: Stonehenge, Salisbury

This year the Stonehenge Solstice Festival will be celebrating its tenth year with an incredible line-up of music including The Rulettes, John Fairhurst, Holiday Oscar, and River Roots, as well as yoga classes and morning workshops for the ultimate relaxing experience - www.solsticefest.co.uk

OFFBEAT FESTIVAL June 22 to June 30 Venue: Arts at the Old Fire Station, Oxford

“A hive of new performance in Oxford.”

Offbeat aims to bring audiences the freshest shows in theatre, comedy, dance, spoken word, and music.

The team bring Oxford all things new with the hope that festival-goers will unexpectedly find something they love. www.offbeatoxford.co.uk

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CHALK VALLEY HISTORY FESTIVAL June 25 to July 1 Venue: Broadchalke, Wiltshire

A history of all things history, brought to Wiltshire by the Daily Mail.

Experince a huge line-up of talks, films, air displays, historic reinactments including cooking classes and skill-at-arms, as well as interactive productions throughout the entire festival. www.cvhf.org.uk

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Festival Guide

July 6 to July 15 STRATTON FESTIVAL July 7 Venue:Stratton St Margaret Council, Swindon

A family-friendly day out in the sunny South of Swindon.

Visit their Facebook page @SSMPCSwindon

FROME FESTIVAL July 6 to July 15 Venue: 25 Market Place Frome, Somerset

Back for its 17th year, Frome Festival has a whole itinerary of art, crafts, comedy and live music - let’s not forget The Food Fest!

Impressive highlights include comedy from Andy Parsons and Tim O’Connor, with music performed by The London Gala Orchestra, and if you fancy a wander, there will also be a visual arts Art Trail. www.fromefestival.co.uk

SWINDON SUFFLE July 11 to July 15 Venue: varies

In its 12th year Swindon Shuffle brings you the likes of SexJazz, The Harlers, SN Dubstation, True Strays, and GETRZ. The Shuffle will be working with Swindon Mind to raise money and awareness of mental health. www.swindonshuffle.org.uk

HENLEY FESTIVAL July 6 to July 15 Venue: 25 Market Place Frome, Somerset

Be sure to bring your suits and heels to Oxfordshire’s most glamourous festival - think row boats, champagne and gourmet chefs.

Acts include Grace Jones, Rita Ora and Nile Rogers and Chic. www.henley-festival.co.uk

2000 TREES July 12 to July 14 Venue: Upcote Farm, Cheltenham

CHILLI & CHEESE FESTIVAL July 7 to July 8 Venue: Lydiard Park, Swindon

Like chilli and cheese? Well we’ve found the perfect festival for you.

Boasting over 50 different traders Swindon’s Chilli & Cheese Festival is a family event packed out with live music, inflatable rides, a chilli sauce competition, a circus skills event, and of course an abundance of cheese and chilli to taste and enjoy. www.fromefestival.co.uk

The festival that keeps getting better and bigger with confirmed acts including Enter Shikari, At The Drive In, Blood Red Shoes, Creeper, Frightened Rabbits and many more! www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST July 13 to July 15 Venue: 4 Bratton Rd, Trowbridge A chilled out festival in the West Country with a host of music - Los Albertos and Ferocious Dog - and family-friendly fun. www.outwestfestival.co.uk

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Festival Guide

July 13 to July 29

Photo by Sarah Koury

LARMER TREE FESTIVAL July 19 to July 22 Venue: Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire

From music to comedy, and theatre to writing workshops, Larmer Tree is the perfect summer party.

The line-up includes First Aid Kit, Public Service Broadcasting, Nick Mulvey and Jake Bugg. www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

SADDLEBACK FESTIVAL July 14 Venue: Devizes Sports Club

BOONDOCKS FESTIVAL July 20 to July 21 Venue: Upcote Farm, Cheltenham

WOMAD July 26 to July 29 Venue: Charlton Park, Wiltshire

Already onto their tier 2 tickets, Boondocks Festival will be presenting True Strays, Bare Jams, Neon Mirrors, Caro, Little Red Kings, and many more are on the way!

This year Boondocks have pulled out all the stops to make festival-goers very happy campers. www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk

“The Godfather of the small festival scene” returns with huge acts including Friendly Fires, George Ezra, Courteeners, Editors, De La Soul and Low Island! www.truckfestival.com

CORNBURY FESTIVAL July 13 to July 15 Venue: The Great Tew Park, Oxfordshire

It’s the return of the original Cornbury Music Festival, and one big return indeed. Acts include Alanis Morissette, UB40, Jimmy Cliff, Nina Nesbitt, and Pixie Lott.

To get into the festival spirit, The Hairy Bikers will also be bringing their pop up restaurant. www.cornburyfestival.com

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TRUCK FESTIVAL July 20 to July 22 Venue: Hill Farm, Oxfordshire

Special guests are in the pipe line to be announced, but so far this family-friendly festival will be bringing festival-goers Saddleback Allstar Jam, Marcus Bonfanti, Bad Touch, John Verity, Jon Amor, Innes Sibun, and Mollie Marriott. www.saddlebackmusicfestival.co.uk

“The World’s Festival“ AKA Womad is one of Wiltshire’s best-loved festivals bringing musicians and bands from across 59 countries.

This year the line-up includes Django Django, Amadou and Mariam, Camille, Colectivo Danza, Ezra Collective, and many many more. www.womad.co.uk

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Festival Guide

July 14 to August 5 AVEBURY ROCKS FESTIVAL July 27 to July 28 Venue: Avebury Rocks, Wiltshire

Possibly the best rock festival in town! Over two stages and two days Avebury Rocks supports Prospect Hospice. www.aveburyrocksfestival.net

RIVERSIDE FESTIVAL July 28 to July 29 Venue: Mill Field, Charlbury, Oxfordshire

Riverside Festival has now been providing free music in Oxfordshire for 8 years, continuing to support over 30 acts across two days and three stages. This is Oxfordshire’s ultimate community festival. www.riversidefestival.charlbury.com

FOLLYFEST July 27 to July 29 Venue: Faringdon

Apparently July is all about the free festivals, including Follyfest!

Acts include The Ukey D’Ukes, Dirty Deeds, Blind Lemon Blues Band, White Ridge, The Wirebirds, and Powertrain. www.faringdonfollyfest.co.uk

MARLBOROUGH JAZZ FESTIVAL July 14 to July 15 Venue: Marlborough Town Hall

So this year the music festival is still on, except this year it’s coming back as Marlborough Jazz Live.

Following its success in 2016, festival organisers have booked acts from across seas and home soil which include Greg Abate, Robin Jones Latin Underground, Gabby Young and Clare Teal and her Big Mini BigBand. www.marlboroughjazz.com And also look out for Marlborough Music Festival due to take place Friday July 20 to Sunday July 22.

Details and line-up to be confirmed.

FIELDVIEW FESTIVAL August 2 to August 5 Venue: Little Somerford, Wiltshire

“Wiltshire’s biggest little festival raising money for good causes since 2009.“ Acts and workshops are yet to be announced, so keep your eyes peeled. www.fieldviewfestival.co.uk

WILDERNESS FESTIVAL August 2 to August 5 Venue: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

What do you fancy? Wilderness has got music, theatre, arts, talks and debates and many more! Acts include Bastille and Baxter Dury! www.wildernessfestival.com

CLASSIC IBIZA August 4 Venue: Bowood House

Classic Ibiza is exactly like it sounds. Performed in the quaint and picturesque grounds of Bowood House, The Urban Soul Orchestra conducted by Stephen Hussey brings you all your favourite and classic Ibiza anthems but reworked into an orchestra.

For fans of Ibiza, orchestra, or a wonderful juxtapoistion, this is the festival for you. www.classicibiza.co.uk

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Festival Guide

August 3 to August 29 FESTIVAL ON THE FARM August 3 to August 5 Venue: Purton

Festival on the Farm is pretty much how it sounds - a 3 day weekend of organic food, family entertainment, live music, and camping.

Acts announced so far include SexJazz, Dirty Smooth, Marc as Robbie, and The Blind Lemon. www.festivalonthefarm.co.uk

CROPEDY FESTIVAL August 9 to August 11 Venue: Cropredy, Oxfordshire

The festival, also known as Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, is pleased to welcome Brian Wilson as 2018’s headlining act - the legend who produced Pet Sounds - accompanied by Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin. www.fairportconvention.com

BOOMTOWN FAIR August 9 to August 12 Venue: Whistlers Green, Winchester

Yes it’s Chapter 10 and people are clearly excited because Boomtown sold out in four months! Headlining Chapter 10 will be Gorillaz, Die Antwoord, Limp Bizkit, Ben Harper, Jimmy Cliff and Morcheeba! www.boomtownfair.co.uk

NEWBURY RETROFESTIVAL August 10 to August 12 Venue: Newbury Showground

There’s something here for all swing dancing and rockabilly festival-goers. The Retrofestival includes live music, cabaret, and a vintage fashion show. www.retrofestival.co.uk

Credit: Scott Salt

EDINGTON MUSIC FESTIVAL August 19 to August 29 Venue: Salisbury Plain

“A Festival of Music within the Liturgy.“ From its first festival back in 1956 Edington Music festival continue to bring together its congregation as well as music from all across the world with composers, choirs and the local community. www.cvhf.org.uk

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WHITE HORSE FOLK FESTIVAL August 17 to August 19 Venue: Grove, Oxfordshire

Three days of folking around in Oxfordshire, for something smaller and more intimate with a focus on participation - there’s plenty of opportunity to share a story, and perform. www.whitehorsefolkfestival.co.uk

DEVIZES FESTIVAL FORTNIGHT August 19 to August 29 Venue: Various

Devizes International Street Festival & Carnival is back for a picnic in the park, confetti battle, lantern parade and more! www.docadevizes.org.uk

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Festival Guide

August 24 to August 27

Reading Festival August 24 to August 26 Venue: Richfield Avenue, Reading

So Reading this year has everything new and up and coming, as well as some really big and strange blasts from the past!

Acts include Kendrick Lamar, Panic! At The Disco, The Wombats, The Horrors, Kings of Leon, Dream Wife, Dua Lipa, Sum 41, Wolf Alice, Kate Nash, Billy Talent, The Vaccines, and many many more! www.readingfestival.com

Towersey Festival August 24 to August 27 Venue: Thame, Oxfordshire

2018 will see Towersey into its 54th Festival - hopefully the weather will be as nice as 2017, which saw over 8,000 people flock to Thame.

Taking to the stage this year are Faustus, The Proclaimers, and Beth Orton.

As well as live music and all the usual festival fun Towersey also boasts a huge line-up of real ales and cider! www.towerseyfestival.com

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Festival Guide

August 24 to Sept 2 THE BIG FEASTIVAL August 24 to August 26 Venue: Kingham, The Cotswolds

Does award-winning street food, Michelin star chefs and an incredible line-up of live music sound like your thing? Well tickets are still available.

It’s a strange thing being confused over whether or not I’m more excited to see chefs or musicians.

Chefs include Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc, Matt Tebbutt, and more on the way.

Music wise The Big Feastival has Basement Jaxx, Craig David, Paloma Faith, Peter Hook & The Light, Melanie C and many more! www.thebigfeastival.com

THE PHOENIX FESTIVAL August 25 to August 26 Venue: Abbey Grounds, Cirencester

Two main stages with over 30 acts across two days - and in the charming town of Cirencester - since kicking off in 2013 The Phoenix Festival takes in over 15,000 people.

The Lets Play Music stage is currently taking on applications for non-professional performers. www. phoenix-festival.co.uk

END OF THE ROAD August 30 to September 2 Venue: Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal

What a grand way to end the festival season - this line-up is insane! Performing this year at End of the Road is St. Vincent, Vampire Weekend, Oh Sees, Ariel Pink, Yo La Tengo, Amen Dunes, This Is The Kit, The Low Anthem, and so so much more!

The line-up of glorious food and drink is on its way! www.endoftheroadfestival.com

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Gig Monkey

Gig Monkey lifts the lid on this month’s offerings

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Slagerij – Serious Fun EP It’s a long overdue return for Swindon’s premier Ska-Punks. But, back they are, and with a bit of a bang and a shiny new drummer.

No wheel is being fully reinvented with this new EP, it is more of the same melodic ska-punk that we have come to expect, however it does come equipped with a subtly shifted dynamic – this return finds the 3-piece in an altogether beefier mood – less ska, more punk rock.

There is still the same sense of fun however, fun that is often poked at those in authority as on the excellent ‘Let’s Be Free’, a paean to the joys of smoking weed.

Serious Fun is exactly what it says on the tin, and is a welcome return and a cracking romp of an EP.

darlings of BBC 6Music Dj’s Steve Lamacq and Lauren Laverne, getting some serious and regular airplay from them and a Maida Vale session from the former. They have also started selling out high profile London Shows. All this is in conjunction with the release of this, their new album, an incredibly beautiful and impressive slice of dream-pop. Blending sumptuous synths, dreamy harmony vocals, smooth rhythms and a large dose of quirky songwriting this is a rich and warm album with personality - a real majestic and triumphant achievement. What’s more, as bona-fide vinyl nerds they have properly sequenced it to work as a slab of wax, so even when listening via CD or digitally there is a definite point in the middle that you just know is where you need to flip it over.

Wasuremono – Something Left Behind Speaking of long overdue, this album came out earlier in the year and my review of it got missed/ lost. But, I have found it again, so here it is.

Bradford-on-Avon’s Wasuremono have certainly been making giant strides in the last 12 months. Building on some already critically lauded releases and small shows, they have become the

Fabian Darcy – Limerence EP It is not often I get to review some local hip-hop, so I took particular enjoyment in this three track collection from Swindon’s master of loungecore Hip-Hop. The backing music is silky smooth and oh-so-cool, dripping with late night jazz vibes and cool beats that wouldn’t be out of touch in a session at Ronnie Scotts.

Over this Darcy raps eloquent, socially aware rhymes. He is a

lyricist with a vocabulary and the desire to use these words to paint pictures and make statements, a hip-hop style that all to often is viewed as old-school. This EP is anything but retro however, despite some of the sounds, it is bang up to date and current and is one of the most exciting and vital recordings to come out of the railway town in some time.

Josh Wolfsohn – Don’t Forget to Wave Young Mr Wolfsohn is a musician I have seen grow since he was a precociously talented schoolboy with floppy hair. I have seen him wearing a folk hat, a jazz hat and an indie-rock hat.

This lad can play pretty much anything in any style, sing beautifully and write considered and evocative songs, and this album reflects all this as elements of everything are drawn together and woven into a rather wonderful whole.

Alongside all this excellent genre-hopping is a healthy dose of pop sensibility – Josh has an ear for a pleasing melody and a knack of worming something firmly into your ear. A highly impressive album then, and one that fully deserves getting a serious amount of recognition.

Ed Dyer

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Music News Win a spot on stage at Avebury Rocks Organisers of this year’s Avebury festival are inviting up-andcoming acts in the local area to compete for one of three slots on their Acoustic Stage.

The competition, which is free to enter, is open to anyone aged between 11-18 years on 28 July 2018.

Avebury Rocks has been running for seven years with profits going towards the services local charity Prospect Hospice provides.

The festival aims to highlight new and original artists with an eclectic mix of genres ranging from rock to folk, and everything in-between.

This year’s festival will run from Friday 27 – Sunday 29 July; tickets are on sale and applications for the competition are now open.

“Discovering young up and

coming talent is so important,” said Genevieve Arney, Events and Community Manager at the hospice, “We want to be able to offer the next generation of musicians a stage gain valuable experience and share their talent with new audiences.”

Applications are now open, and will close on 31 May. A panel of judges will compile a shortlist of acts, who will be invited to perform at a selection evening in Avebury later in the year.

The three winning acts will be announced on the night.

To apply, acts will need to provide a video of them performing one song live (even if it’s just in their own bedroom!) and complete an application form. For further information and to apply, please visit www. aveburyrocksfestival.net

Frank Turner’s back on the road

Coinciding with the release of his seventh studio album Be More Kind, Frank Turner is heading back on the road for a country spanning tour.

Catch a singer-songwriter at the top of his game this May when he brings his show to Oxford’s O2 Academy. l Saturday 5 May 2018 6pm

SexJazz ready to share the love Funky psychadelic post punk rocksters - SexJazz will be swinging by the Victoria in Swindon on May 17 to share their brand of crazy brand of so-called music.

Tickets costing £3- £5 are available from the The Victoria website www.thevicswindon. com

Deeper and darker

The Deep Dark Woods’ new album ‘Yarrow’ was borne in a fever – scarlet fever, to be medically specific. A disease of the last century is a fitting backdrop for songs that dig bare handed into the loam to unearth the corpses of old English folk and country blues.

‘Yarrow’ is Deep Dark Woods reimagined by lead man Ryan Boldt, and accompanied by the same band that crafted prairie psychedelics and a loose grungy folk sound. .

Originally from Saskatchewan and now based on the west coast, The Deep Dark Woods fuse spooky prairie folk with Texas country blues and California psychedelia.

See them at Oxford’s Bullingdon on May 2 (7.30pm) Tickets cost £13 plus booking fee.

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Gig list

Tuesday May 1 Singaround 8pm - The Cellar Bar, Devizes Wednesday May 2 Ocean Wisdom 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Deep Dark Woods 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Let’s Swim Get Swimming + Land Wars + Getrz + Flour Babies 8pm - The Victoria, Swindon Wacky Wednesday 8pm - The Victoria, Swindon Fishies Week 12 10pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Thursday May 3 Dinner the Band + Ravetank + Spring Healed Lettuce + Fela Daksta 6pm - The Victoria, Swindon Lower Than Atlantis 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford The Showhawk Duo 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Holy Moly & The Crackers 7.30pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Plugged-in Singers Night 8pm - The Royal Oak, Corsham Ian Kenna 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Friday May 4 Rhys Lewis 6pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Wilks Johnson 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Nine Below Zero 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Unplugged (open mic) 7.30pm - ACE Space, Newbury Oasish + Sterotonics 8pm - The Victoria, Swindon The Convulsions 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Adrian Marx (70’s night) 9pm - The Mermaid, Burford Emergency Banter 9.30pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Felix & The Funk 9.30pm - Groves Company Inn, Swindon Mighty Crown Far East Rulers 10pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Tropicle Popsicle 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Saturday May 5 Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls 6pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Skelter Feat. The Reaper 7pm - O2 Academy 2 Oxford

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Clive Gregson & Liz Simcock 8pm - Wychwood Folk Club, Oxfordshire Mercy Lounge 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Oye Santana 8pm - Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury Bon Giovi 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon The Tinshack 8.30pm - The Lamb Inn, Marlborough Hail the King!

9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Stop Stop!

9.30pm - The Waiting Room, Swindon Sunday May 6 Vice Versa 5pm - The Bell, Wantage Banksy 6.30pm - The Castle Inn, Swindon Mallroy Knox 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Tigercats 7.30pm - The Library, Oxford Troy Ellis 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon #SaveSwindon 1st Birthday 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon Chaos Bros 8.30pm - The Lamb Inn, Marlborough Belladonna 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Monday May 7 The Blue Tones 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Tuesday May 8 Singaround 8pm - The Cellar Bar, Devizes Wednesday May 9 Jizzy Pearls Love/Hate 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Wacky Wednesday 9pm - The Victoria, Swindon Fishies - Week 13 10pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Thursday May 10 DMA’s 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Singers’ Night 8pm - The Royal Oak, Corsham Tim Spirits 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon Friday May 11 Marmozets 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Kangol vs Kapper / The House Party 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Premium Leisure

7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford The Cry Babies 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon QE2 - The Very Best of Queen 8.30pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Ultimate Band 8.30pm - Groves Company Inn, Swindon Peloton 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Rockin Ratbags 9pm - The Mermaid, Burford Damn Good Reason 9.30pm - The Waiting Room, Swindon Aftershow Party 11pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Saturday May 12 Cold Black & Death Remains 6pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Seether 6pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford QE2 - The Very Best of Queen 8.30pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Beard of Destiny + Monk 9 8pm - The White House, Oxford Syntronix 8pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Tripple JD 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Josie & The Outlaw 8.30pm - The Lamb Inn, Marlborough Moretallica + Motorboat 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon Bull Town Boys 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon Simple Presents Mall Gralo 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Sunday May 13 Jimmy Lee - Rock ‘N’ Roll Night 4.30pm - The Rose and Crown, Malmesbury The Urban Cohorts 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Monday May 14 Black Honey 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford All Welcome Night 8pm - The Lamb Inn, Devizes Tuesday May 15 Singaround 8pm - The Cellar Bar, Devizes Wednesday May 16 Barrence Whitfield & The Savages 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Wacky Wednesday 9pm - The Victoria, Swindon Fishies Week 14 10pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford

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Gig List

Thursday May 17

11pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford

Carter Sampson Plus Jesse Aycock & Lauren Barth 7.30pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney

Sunday May 20

Stand up to Cancer Charity Show 6pm - The Victoria, Swindon Damn Good Reason 8pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney

Singers’ Night 8pm - The Royal Oak, Corsham

Mudslide Morris & The Revelators 3pm - The Bell, Wantage Groovelator 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon

Blind Lemon 8.30pm - The Lamb Inn, Marlborough Hooch 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon

SexJazz 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon Friday May 18 The Urban Voodoo Machine 6.30pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Uprising - BBC Introducing in Oxford 7pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Trees of Rage 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Supernaut 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon

Monday May 21 The Magic Numbers 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Tuesday May 22 Alden Patterson & Dashwood 8pm - The Cellar Bar, Devizes Wednesday May 23 Coco & The Butterfields 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford Wacky Wednesday 9pm - The Victoria, Swindon

Saints of Sin 9.30pm - The Waiting Room, Swindon Disco Sheds Common People After Party 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Sunday May 27 Monthly Blues Jam 3pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney

Thursday May 24

Blackmax & The Pirates 5pm - The Bell, Wantage Cocaine Piss 6.30pm - O2 Academy 2, Oxford

The Lewis Hamilton Band 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford

Kevin Lovatt (Johnny Cash Tribute) 9.30pm - The Castle Inn, Swindon

Hi - On Maiden 9pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney

Curse of Lono 7.30pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney

The Mike Hoddinott Blues All-Stars 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon

Locarno Beat 9.30pm - Groves Company Inn, Swindon

Spotlight Night 8pm - The Royal Oak, Corsham

Straight Outta Cowley Finale 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford

Friday May 25

Hooch 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon The Tinshack Band 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon

Belladonna 9pm - The Mermaid, Burford First Raitt 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon

Saturday May 19

Alboa 6.30pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford

The Larry Fish Experiment 8pm - The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon Pet Sematary + Fancy Dress Party + Daisy 8.15pm - The Wheatsheaf, Oxford

King Hammond and The Rudeboy Mafia 8pm - Fat Lil’s, Witney Patrick Monahan 8pm - Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury

Penfold 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon

Shepherds Pie 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon

Hamsters From Hell 9pm - The Queens Tap, Swindon

Josie & The Outlaw 9pm - Groves Company Inn, Swindon

Musical Medicane ft Krywald & Farrer 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Road to Badda Dan Soundclash UK Edition

Sound Affects 9pm - The Mermaid, Burford

Interlight 9.30pm - The Beehive, Carterton Simple Ft OR:LA 11pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Tuesday May 29 Dirt Road Project 8pm - The Cellar Bar, Devizes Thursday May 31 Space Elevator 7pm - The Bullingdon, Oxford Wacky Wednesday 8.30pm - The Victoria, Swindon

Saturday May 26

Lower Than Atlantis at Oxford’s O2 Academy, May 3 7pm

Lower Than Atlantis are on a huge UK tour where they will be performing at Oxford’s O2 Academy on May 3 followed by Reading’s Sub89 (May 4).

Lead singer Mike Duce said: “It’s been nearly four years since we did a regional run in the UK and we can’t wait to get to some towns that we haven’t even been to before.

“We’ve got an amazing package being announced later on too plus a homecoming show in Watford, which will be massive. Grab your mates and get tickets quick as these rooms aren’t the biggest!” www.lowerthanatlantis.co/

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Agony Girl Five year old Amy is looking forward to the summer and playing in the sea but she still finds time to do Agony Girl.

We ask her the questions and these are her answers.... honest!

Dear Amy, I’m in a bit of bother at home at the moment with lots of people blaming me for lots of things. Would it be a good idea to bomb another unrelated country as a weapon of mass distraction and then they won’t bother me anymore?

Donald, New York No. Because bombing people is wrong.

Dr Wilson, Swindon The left side. Your heart is shaped like a heart and is red.

Dear Amy, If you could have any farm animal as a pet what would you have?

Mungus, Newbury A sheepdog. Because it’s cute and it rounds up sheep so you get loads of sheep as well.

Dear Amy, I’m in a bit of bother at home at the moment with lots of people because of Brexit. Would it be a good idea to bomb another unrelated country as a weapon of mass distraction without asking the people bothering me and then they won’t bother me anymore?

Theresa, Westminster No. Because it’s bad and you might get in prison.

Dear Amy, What’s the time?

Ben, Swindon The time has a number seven and a eight. It’s my favourite time because I can watch Horrid Henry.

Dear Amy, I’m in a bit of bother at home at the moment as I don’t think I’m as popular as I once was and I need to get them on side again. Would it be a good idea to try and start World War Three by poisoning someone in Salisbury as a way of everyone thinking I’m really tough and could wrestle a bear?

Vladimir, Moscow No. Because it’s bad and people won’t like you.

Dear Amy, I keep losing one sock every time I do the wash and it’s now ended up that I’ve only got odd socks.

Should I just buy some new pairs of socks or is having just odd socks a good look?

Peter, Oxford You just buy some new socks that’s a pair because you have to. If you steal them the police will come and get you.

Dear Amy, I need to perform open heart surgery but I’m a bit forgetful. Is the heart on the left or right side?

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