2020 #ArtfulFest (1-31 October) and beyond
Peacemas ArtfulFest Expo . Away from the mainstream arts talking just to each other, is a rising underground renaissance being talked over, not about, while in peril, they're defiantly buzzing anyway!
To All Hallows with friendly "Hallo"s ALL OCTOBER Artful situationism seemed like the thing to revive for 2020. Will also return to those on this page with regards to upcoming Planet Water events. In the mean time, thank you anybody who stopped by this virtual Expo.
#ArtfulFest Model;
Dexy, Musician
2021 Rocklands, Virtual Republic Of Uniqulture (Artfully made up, but happening anyway) 2022 Lewisham, London Borough of Culture 2023 Croydon, London Borough of Culture Some people booed or sneered when South London boroughs were announced. This Creative Multiverse is a homeland to Kate Bush, John Clay, Brixton Windmill, David Bowie, CroCroLand, SNCFest, Uniqulture and a thousand more positivities. Something will grow despite Dystopian Brexshit, Pandemica and crapitalist, extinctionbound, Planet Fash. Working Class CREATE culture: CIVILISATION.
October 1st 2020
#ArtfulFest 2020 Posterity OCT 01 3 as the magic number, Rule Of 6 style with Third Man Records choosing Big Joanie for Episode 6 of their Public Access session series. Added to TheZineUK #FuturePicks YouTube playlist:
'The Honesty Box' by Benefits.
Visual Artists Instagram : Sharlene Artsy - https://www.instagram.com/sharleneartsy/ New Music Supporters: John Kennedy of Radio X. An essential cog of the #WeMakeEvents wheels. Presenting on radio and via live music shows. Down the front at gigs. Recommending and interacting. RESPECTED. True story: at the inaugural CroCroLand Festival, John arrived before the live sets started and left after they ended. An absolute diamond beyond being a guru for good. His X-Posure radio show also makes for great WFH day time listening on playback (as well as making future-gig-wish bucket lists from!) https://radiox.co.uk/radio/shows-presenters/xposure/ #FertileEnvironment of #NewerWave. #BombPop Playlist of 42 videos a Rocklands TV channel would screen: Originally part of Generation Tremorist June 2020 article. The breadcrumb trail of unused#s lead to children of all ages with diversity in their DNA on a situationist yellow brick road).
Kae Tempest releases On Connection book and audiobook. "Creativity encourages connection..." Click here for a recorded taster.
Another sample is here at Amazon. Inspire you to buy and save for these days, it would make a great Peacemas present. Ed O Brien: Musician with recommended debut album, 'Earth', out now. "IN ISOLATION Thursday October 1 at 8pm. Ask me anything .. I will answer 3 of your questions"
October 2nd 2020
Denise Johnson 'Where does it go?' album release. Manc angel-fired vocals. What a wonderful human being and talent, resting in power. Vinyl is sold out. CDs still available. Piccadilly Records, Manchester.
It's also another BandCamp Friday. #WildeLifeAwards goodness for being a saviour during Lockdown - now extended to the end of the year to help artists. Yes, musicians need support by any means necessary, the whole industry does. Video added: 'Black Lolita' by Michelle O Faith. A brand new and awwwwesome popera classic beats and star shaped music video from rising multiple talent.
Visual Artist - Jelly J -https://www.instagram.com/jellyjartist/ Serendipity led Jonny, Jeanie (#SNCFest) and myself to the NXD (New Cross Deptford) park where 'You Can't Kill The Spirit' is folklore. A magical day. The soul of the trees (and wanting some beer!) led us to One For The Road SE14 where Jelly J makes all the sense on Planet Water's dimension. It happened in Rocklands, Costa del Thames. The Republic of Uniqulture where Lover's Rock meets Rocker's Love. Incidentally, Rocklands (#SELondon postcodes) is also home to the above mentioned Michelle O Faith.
2nd October 2020 New Music Supporter BalconyFest Paul Joyzine (instigator) : "As the country locked down, keeping us separate in our homes, the UK DIY music (un)scene came together to keep the music alive. Balcony Fest, named for the Italian musicians who performed from their windows at the start of the pandemic, brought bands and fans together in their living rooms to raise thousands of pounds for good causes including NHS Charities Together, Refuge and The Mental Health Foundation through a series of seven online music festivals available to watch here: https://youtube.com/joyzinedotorg The events were organised by blogs and promoters including Joyzine, Loud Women, God Is In The TV, The Zine UK, Gigslutz, Louder Than War, Benumu, Crocroland, Sonic Tonic, Quarantini, Reckless Yes and The Bechdel Sound Test, with each band introduced by our host Louise Schofield." Find out more: https://facebook.com/balconyonlinefest
Denise Johnson immortalised by Piccadilly Records Manchester. Artbeat: Album artwork by @dannybird_photo / @ian_read Portrait by @stan_chow + Twitter pic via @LlSTENlNG_PARTY #TimsTwitterListeningParty (see Oct 05 for the album playback info for 'Where Does It Go') Stormzy's 'Heavy Is The Head' album celebrates a billion streams. Idles album, 'Ultra Mono' is No.1, and 'Kid A' by Radiohead is twenty years old! They trended on Twitter. Artful news update: Musicians joining radio stations as presenters: Skin of Skunk Anansie on Absolute and Gary Powell of The Libertines on Radio X. Groovy.
October 3rd 2020 Oct 03
Northern Exposure presents a #SaveOurVenues 'Acoustic Sounds' event towards the heroic campaigning of Music Venue Trust - you'll see Stars. Literally with Anastasia Walker of the poptastic Bang Bang Romeo, headlining up close and personal. An all greats line up In partnership with Sheffield Children's Hospital charity. CHANGE OF VENUE: fullest info http://northern-exposure.co/changes-to-northern-exposure-acoustic-sounds-festival/ Serendipity! Bang Bang Romeo (who have just dropped an expansive and visionary new anthem of uniqulture, 'Starve', their new single) will also play Loud Women Fest - 20th March 2021. Preview trailer; talking of which, 3rd October is also LOUD WOMEN’s 5th birthday! One of the interdependent Balcony Festival family of new music industrious that thrill the Newer Wave. "...a group for all those who support putting women on stage, and turning up the volume. It’s a notfor-profit initiative run by Cassie Fox of I, Doris, with help from some brilliant friends." - watch their space to get celebratory! (also ensure Loud Women Fest tickets) https://loudwomen.org/ “important groups such as LOUD WOMEN are inspiring social change” – Kerrang!
Also playing Loud Women Fest are supreme disco punk band, Bugeye They are key radio escapism stars with their engaged Rock Pop Rambles Podcast. Music passion with informative new knowledge each show. The latest episode has just arrived! Listen via Apple and other sussed platforms. Angela, Grace, Paula and Kerrie photographed (and art design) by Julia Woolams at 31% Wool. Happy Birthday, Ceri James. An #ArtfulFest original. Swansea's epic-folky pop song bard was an instigator of the original New Cross Scene - keep's bringing melodic tunes to warm blustery days and live shows. Hear here on Spotify.
October 4th 2020 The #FairSociety's #EU4RIC Industrial (r)Evolution of self care. People are going to need the feel good factor physically, mentally and spiritually. Here are some favourites that are part of my routine, the first, daily. #LoveQuota https://instagram.com/lovequotabeauty/
Natural self care - also massage therapy and much more; Love Quota products are made with LOVE. A huge hit at #TheZineUK #No3Expo (2015) and #TheDeptfordMixUp (2019) interacting with bands like Family Jools, Tiger Mimic and Sick Love. I'm still laffing at Kelly from End Of The Trail though, he had an especially magick time(!) #PirateTreasures https://instagram.com/piratetreasureslondon Jane Pirate, Rock n Roll tour manager, makes jewellery and arty/music world collectables. With love. I have anchor ear rings and a necklace. #AnchorTownGS https://instagram.com/anchortowngiftshop/ The Anchor Town Gift Shop is brand new on line. Charming hand made gifts and decor from fresh and recycled materials - high quality with LOVE. Loves music and Ye Olde 20th Century Christmas goodwill, captured in this 2010 innocence: 'Planet Water #Peacemas' by #AnchorTownGS The world is going to need all the euphoria it can afford, in the now and next. Big up life coach Louise Able (Arbonne) and Kathy Aldridge (Colours By Kathy). I recommend them all for my well-being, as the above #ShareTheJoy.
October 5th 2020
'Where Does It Go' As mentioned on Oct 02 of Artful Month (below) the solo LP by Denise Johnson will be on #TimsTwitterListeningParty 9pm https://twitter.com/LlSTENlNG_PARTY Denise remains an inspiring, incredible talent and kindly social heart. A born enhancer, The Manc Angel is widely missed. We have lost many good souls in a poignant year. Listen in, this may help. With love. Announcement from Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), and album ordering link. Visual Art of today has gotta be the Artmongers crew and what they are creating on Fun City High Street The Old Bank that is now the NHS Nightingale Pharmacy. A story that Artful month will return to. Just wait and see what's coming! Artmongers not only help Deptford grow into Havana on Thames, but are bringing The UK's first School of Muralism to Lewisham. ArtBeat beautify for #SELondon and beyond; https://www.instagram.com/artmongers/
5th October 1968
Always believe in the people and their sixth sense power. Civil rights are human rights, and the basis of civilisation. Love to Derry. Finally. Negative: Repulsive lozza-the-loser (mr pox) raging ego of the gammon king. On the other the wholesome Tik Tok Mick Fleetwood recreated of the insanely viral/perfect video for 'Dreams' by Nathan Apodaca https://twitter.com/doggface208 has inadvertedly created one of 2020's most awesome marketing campaigns. Positivity WINS.
October 6th 2020
The live rock bootleg of The Palpitations playing 'Siren' at The Black Heart in Camden. Missed the start of their set having East London Lines "fun", but there is definitely something there with a tint of Southern Death Cult in the mix. As a band with much relevance musically and politically, this is the clip that makes the #ArtfulFest posterity on the TheZineUK's #FuturePicks video playlist, 'cos we miss nights like this. Was this really in 2020? They also had the best swag stall sign that night too, as they're NHS Doctors and woven into the documentary. https://facebook.com/palpitationsmusic/
Incidentally, that night, The Palpitations were special guests of the aces, Weekend Recovery. A quality rock band/fans movement thing is going on here. Their set was also received raucously with lead singer, Lori, like a punk forces sweetheart and loads of familiar faces in the place. Weekend Recovery about to let loose with a new single, 'You Know Why', this Friday 9th October. There are 2021 shows announced and more news at their FB page, but ink the mean time, pre-save the next release https://ffm.to/youknowwhy - If you know, then 'You Know Why'.
October 7th 2020
The Seventh Day So far 2020; Music/releases, launches, allies, Rant, Videos, Word, Street Art and Illustration, Podcasts, Live Performance Events and that Artful thing where new ventures mix in original moments and make new futures. It's working again, made up on a daily weave for posterity. Yesterday, Artful found and pleased DJ duo, The Heartbreakers, of the original "New Cross Scene". WORD! Not far from there, in what was once the Deptford Community's Tidemill Gardens we sat in peace and love a few years ago, as Potent Whisper performed a mid summer heart warmer. A few minutes excerpt on FB. The 21st Century needs such a soul. If you know, you know, if you don't yet, please may I recommend; Potent Whisper's lyrical verse 'Full Moon' (featuring vocals from Chisara Agor. Produced by 3ss3nce ToneO with animation by Luke Hayne (Photini) it is empathetic with loss). Until we are governed by humanity and decency again, and can publicly mourn and love - together - again, 'Full Moon' feels so essential and exemplary. I hope that sharing this helps somebody. It is meant with the very best of wishes. It is also added to TheZineUK #FuturePicks video playlist on YouTube As a lucid dreamer (who did the light switch thing just the other night and have only just learned something new while listening today), this is perfect for Peacemas, 'Full Moon' is taken from Potent Whisper's musical audiobook 'Lucid Lovers'. YouTube link. Written and narrated by Potent Whisper. It features a full cast and original soundtrack by 3ss3nce and Antonio Lewis (ToneO) - If you live in love, you need this in your life. Free download link; https://lucidlovers.co.uk/
Plus #TheMusicPeopleParty came to life a little bit more. Yesterday it went beyond being a fun office party gig to a collective vibe. Artists and audiences alike reacted to the unviable tory party and their uncultured disdain for the arts. How can a fair society and decent civilisation be built upon a heist and coup? With the feedback from the music world allies, it felt that not all hope is lost. Image: Street Art on Deptford High Street.
October 7th 2020 - Not had an Artful rant yet... Bollocks to unimaginative (i.e. community last, social cleansing first, generic hipster over-priced blandfill GENTRIFICATION.
You can't actually recognise this street now, people moved to Deptford (London SE8) then though they were living in Greenwich (SE10) because estate / esnake agent maps had "done a Palestine" on the local maps. In some ways, it actually looked better with the burnt out bus. You can just see the new posh buildings starting in the background. Then they murdered the trees in Tidemill Gardens while pollution is high, locally. Now Elephant and Castle's infamous working class shopping centre has been culled. The new buildings seem to hate the potential beauty of architecture just tall slabs of sunshine stealing luxury fuxury amidst homelessness. Shelter is a right for all animals on this planet. It shouldn't cost The Earth. Literally. On the other hand... #ArtfulFest positivity has always created new connections and ideas during the month and yesterday (October 5th) was no exception. Listening to the Rock Pop Rambles Podcast suggested on October 3rd, and hearing Laura Jean Marsh interviewed, not only evoked memories of the naughties (including the original Expos) but one of the images in the Artful archives below is from her Dolly Rockers Club events. What beautiful time travel (which also adds the trailer for her Giddy Stratosphere movie on Thursday, when it is unleashed). Thank you yet again, Bugeye, quality band, album and radio show (amongst much else).
October 8th 2020
8 Days a week! #ArtfulFest tips had already started to cross breed in the first seven days. Brilliant rock band, The Novus do what they say on the tin and are always ahead with The New... they should be your next music news. Their Socially-Distanced tour kicks off this evening with a show for the mighty Louder Than War, in Blackpool's Waterloo Bar. Tour Info/Tickets: thenovusband/events/ (please note Underbelly Hoxton London, for Kick Out The Jams, is sold out) - this was later moved to bigger capacity at Amersham Arms in New Cross, and also sold out. Later this evening, the band's manager, Andy Winters (a legend since Britpop days to whatever is next) wrote: "Tonight though, is a night for musicians who have to perform because it is their passion and need and their music is only true when experienced by a live audience. They can't retrain, wait, or ignore their muse, it's not purely about money or strategy.. it is something they have to do." I HEAR this. Read the full post of Blackpool illuminations of where Arts and Entertainment are at, then please help to #SaveOurVenues
9th October 2020
1/3 : ArtfulFest 2020 Showreel: Louise Schofield is a multi talent tasking force of Nature who is increasingly in respect and demand. Presenter, Actress, Music Journalist, Comedy, Creator at BBC SESH, more! Her work is personable and well researched. Lou is a consummate professional and prolific creator of high quality content. A star in the making, she is one of the #MusicWomen who make the #FertileEnvironment bloom. Even in 2020. 2/3 Made In Lewisham, the borough with a giant cat that points the way to a People's Festival (in 2020, to where it will happen again, one day).
@madeinlewisham"Just like to say #weareviable. Let's stand together. @LEANarts @ArtsLewisham @TheAlbanySE8 @BrockleyMax @HavelockStudios @ wedogooddisco @LDN_Culture @EntelechyArts @sarahcwanendeya @LizAtkin @SteamDown_ @des700 @DeptfordDoesArt @Dorcasstories @SHAPESLewisham @rocklandstv" Am honoured that Rocklands is included. Thank you. It's No surprise that Artful Festival, like the word Uniqulture (Deptford 1, Thesaurus 0), was dreamed up in this creative-cultures crossbreeding borough.
October 9th 2020 (continued) 3/3 ArtfulFest Origins - Kate&Tristan After the press had given 14 minutes of fame to "The New Cross Scene" of 20032005, things got more beautiful (out there) in Rocklands, Costa del Thames. Artful began in 2005, Kate & Tristan ran New Cross Inn from 2006 (adding an art gallery and style boutique with a stage in 2008) What would have been Little Nan Jo Jo's All Dayer in 2007 was killed off by a sociopath from the music industry (who actually met with the three of us, to admit it - I did not see THAT coming!).
We issued "another rock n roll swindle" news and cancelled the event. On the morning of 1st May, the three of us sat in New Cross Inn, and cried. We had only wanted to do something nice for music lovers and our local community. By the end of that day, sixty bands had got in touch and said they wanted to play for us, as people. Cried a bit more, but in a good way. Rocklands Party was gaffer-taped together and the (sold out) May 5th 2007 got nicknamed "The 24 Hour Concrete Glastonbury" as the SE14 and SE8 postcodes heaved with artists, crowds, queues, art, laughter (lampshades as hats!) and impromptu performance. Even spaces that had said "no" opened their bars for such business until the early hours. Aah, those final bongos the next morning...! By 2008 the three of us were staging RAR! live music events for 14+ after school unity at The Albany, rounding off in 2010 with Tinie Tempah. Massive love to Creative Lewisham and Nanette Rigg of City Showcase for involving Rocklands in bigger stages (2006-2011). In 2009 staged the all dayer, Today Deptford. Being put in charge of the cash, artists/locals got paid £ shares. October 9th 2020 (continued)
In 2012 ArtBeat Amersham Arms began and inspired TheZineUK documentary (since 2014 with new music Expos in 2015 and 2016). By 2020, here we all are. Grandson Tristan's Little Nan's Bar is a multi award winning welcome to Deptford Fun City's High Street train station. Rocklands Costa del Thames, the people's republic of uniqulture, is making a world all of it's own. Note that Amersham Arms and New Cross Inn have adapted, and are booked up with #Safety1stGigs and that The Birds Nest continues multifunctioning. Tonight (Friday Oct 09) music industry insiders, End Of The Trail Creative return to buzz band landmark stage, The Amersham Arms (Sold Out Alternative Rock show). They will return on Friday Oct 23 with a formidable line up (scroll down) We are #SELondon - this is what we do - because we are so VIABLE. Yay, it's the weekend (when the Arts world still works) Fug Yer "Better Jobs".
Barclays, the final bank on Deptford High Street, is leaving. I'm very sorry for people who don't have internet, a computer or easy access getting to Lewisham. Some sneer toput all your digital eggs in one basket and "get on line". Others still include humanity in their lives. Elders, especially, are being dissed. Saw a poor old fella in the post office asking how to get his pension. Officialdomspeak looked like he was being tortured. Inside I cried a bit because he didn't have his details, couldn't walk easily and had no idea WTF they were babbling on about because everybody is a fckn bot these days, even if they don't want to be. Fck on line banking for all. Yes, it's safter in a pandemic but some people are also being hacked and robbed. From customer service to diss service. Grr! And another thing...
10th October 2020 1/3: 10/10 x 10/10 - Temporary Hoardings R*E*P*E*A*T - fanzine panel discussion
Fanzines, independent, interdependent and the media of DIY rock n roll art forever, are back. The fact that they are documents of posterity proves the importance of physical endeavours. This evening is panel discussion featuring movers and shakers Planet Zine spanning almost half a century! This is heritage. Proper telly: Roger and Ruth from the mobilising (and Johnny Rotten respected) Temporary Hoarding, another key punk to present authority, Tony from Ripped and Torn and Kill Your Pet Puppy zines. In the 1990s Sid Abuse (Abuse!) and Dee (All about Dee) took on the establishment, and helped propel Ash, bis, S*M*A*S*H and Manic Street Preachers into the mainstream. The 21st Century ain't letting up with Kulk Art Zines part of the East Spanglier core of creative/performance movements and Arlo from Pint Sized Punk zine which wasborn in lock down Bristol, it's ten year old editor is part of the pre-teen, pro-good (r)evolution. Social media is one thing but long live physical megazines. One of the many awe inspring anti-establishment essentials, R*E*P*E*A*T will always lead you to what's rising under radar. I just like fanzines. In ye olden dayes, I used mine as a CV when applying for a job at Rough Trade (pic on the front of the queen in a "the smiths are dead" t shirt. I got the job), I'm IN, and looking forward to Living The Stream. Generation Tremorists, 4REAL! New youth power like MASH, Why Generation?, Some Might Say, Pint Size etc don't give a fug that the advice is not to go into printed mags. The fucking advice was to vote for The Nasty Party. Bollocks to MSM advice. Now see this (shout outs for Love Music Hate Racism and Black Lives Matter because, well, #FckNZs 2/3 : Peckham Salvage Yard - 60 traders, plus street food; @PeckhamSalvageYard Sat 10th/Sun 11th, 11am–6pm, Unit 8, 133 Copeland Rd, London, SE15 3SN
10th October 2020 (continued)
3/3 : The Bluetones interview with Steve Lamacq and acoustic session HD live stream. In Spring 2019, we were laughing and drinking together at Steve's Lost Alternatives launch Pub Quiz, The Bluetones/Star Shaped team won. It seems like another world. It was. Now we make new entertainment on this next life planet. Live music streams and #Safety1st gigs. Lead singer, Mark Morriss, will play two of the latter at Amersham Arms in New Cross on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th October. Expect him to (as ever) fly. p.s. go on the Friday if you can, as Helve are along the road on 17th October at New Cross Inn. They are so new and so recommended.
11th October 2020 #ArtfulFest Goes up to 11! Continuing Artmongers progress, Lewisham School Of Muralism (twitter) opened in the last few days and the artful redecorating of NHS pharmacy on Deptford High Street is coming along more than nicely, with Heart And Soul! More to follow
#ArtBeat Illustrators, Visual Artists and Designers who are rocking the apocalypse age, include the previously mentioned Jelly J, Artmongers, Sharlene Artsy and Julia Woolams at 31% Wool, plus Smashed Hits, Eugene Ankomah, Akse P19, Cold War Steve, Stan Chow, Bands FC, Pete Fowler, Ana Banica, WeFail, Jenny Saville, Neale Howells and... and... Historical documentation never felt so ON it. Bigness of best wishes to street art with a community heart. We NEEEEEEEEED joy!
12th October 2020 12 Mondays for Mutinee. An unforgettable memory of Rhiannon The Nightmare at Natural History Museum (bootleg clips from 15 minutes of beautiful infamy). RtN Makes Music - a butterfly emerges as a solo artist for Autumn 2020. 13th October 2020 #ArtfulFest Music Supporters celebrated today are, of course, Music Venue Trust. Genuinely the closest that the grassroots music venue community have to functioning (i.e. protect and serve the public) government. What MVT they pulled off on 12th October 2020 was a release of relief for so many. We fight on. Retrained? Nah, refreshed! #SaveOurVenues
Plus #RuleOf6 It will be SIX years to the day that British MPs voted to recognise a Palestinian state. #RecognisePalestineNow I hope more people can have pity on a nation of oppressed civilians under apartheid. There's no need to be cruel.
14 Rounding off the first fortnight of #ArtfulFest behind the scenes, ready to fight the "tiers for fears" farce holes with continuing new ideas. #SELondon interdependent creative tweet vibes: @Hornetmuziq; "Continuing on the @LewishamCouncil #BoroughOfCulture theme @TrustTheDocUK @rocklandstv @thezineuk @lfwprom otion #MaverickProjects @TheAmershamArms @Richard_Linear @YoungArtsL @IAmLewisham @LewYouT heatre @SHAPESLewisham Just a few of those the Council should be engaging with" - #ArtfulFest would add Made In Lewisham, Little Nan's Bar, Midi Music, Jelly J, Artmongers and the School Of Muralism, The Birds Nest, New Cross Inn and SNCFest/Stanley Halls to that. Loads more (and The Catford Cat!)
Much appreciation to Trust The Doc for Rocklands being included in this list. I can attest that this, alongside piles of carrots, is a valid point of how the UK's ArtBeat Central community engage. I called Neil about a band, ended up chatting for half an hour, new futures are coming. The ace Andy Palmer of Amersham Arms (where TheZineUK was born) had put us in touch. The Planet Water dimensions of Rocklands, #SELondon (Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich) and CroCroLand (Croydon/The Cronx) are London Boroughs of Culture - I no longer have to make it up. This Creative Human Nature Reservation is the Republic of Joy, 2021. #ShareTheJoy - gonna send some along our Old Kent Road....to neighbouring Kent! Intermission 020 10 15 (Planet Water), 15th October 2020 (Planet Earth) fourteen days of #Artfulfest happened. fourteen more to go.
October 15th 2020 1/6 : Action for Happiness @actionhappiness Optimistic October - Day 15: Look out for positive news and reasons to be cheerful today #OptimisticOctober 2/6 : It's also @ValuesDay x #WorldValuesDay
What do you value? Tweet your positivity, Act on your values. 3/6 : "Refuse to be suppressed" - Lizzo accepting the Billboard Music Award for Top Song Sales Artist, 2020. 4/6 : Trust The Doc at Amersham Arms - via Neil March (promoter info) New music as heard on BBC Introducing and Fresh On The Net. LIVE. Further info.
5/6 : On such a day of Week 42 (the answer to life, the universe and everything), I'm going to throw in some Magic Pop music courtesy of my friend, a Bringer Of Sunshine To The Universe. 'Vaccine' by Jean Genie's Massive Hugs at the musicians loving BandCamp. Treat your ears/soul. "And we’re all looking for a vaccine, A cure for the unknown, Right before the fever spreads, To our brittle bones, And we’re all looking for a vaccine, Obscure to the unknown..." #Vaccine unlocked in lockdown #2020vision
6/6 : #RuleOfSix - all the above, this day, are why live as a Love Pirate and will retrain, rethink and reboot as a hopefully better Love Pirate. I got many good vibrations from the Featured Artists Coalition AGM yesterday evening. Thank you, John Robb, for the introduction. Minister Of Counter Culture 4REAL. Creative industries quite literally MAKE our nations and Carers sustain them. Behind my mask, worn with respect, as Donna Summer would sing, I Feel Love.
October 16th 2020
The Novus are live on stage! In their own words: "Pre-Covid blues are hitting hard today 💔 We’re missing being this close to you all & sharing these experiences, who’s with us?" Calling home on their Socially-Distanced Tour, Friday 16th October #Birmingham event https://thenovusband.musicglue.store/shop-tn "Same place, a very different experience. ✨ - shot by Jess Lena" (on a personal note, I am digging the masks, these artists could create their own city and social system if needed). #JoinTheNoise 16th October is also National Queen Minx Day. Celebrating a multi tasking, Rock n Roll film maker, video maker and connector, London's top Rock Chick is a New York Doll to appreciate. New thrills on the horizon. Stay tuned. 17th October 2020 #ArtfulFest tip: Helve are playing a last minute show at New Cross Inn and if you can be there, then here's why you should (audio, social media and ticket links). You're welcome. A great response. People are in the know. A few, more will come.
18th October 2020 1/6: Special edition of #SocialistSunday this Peacemas. Whatever happens, Thank You Jacinda for proving that Socialism can work as empathy, kindness and sanity. I say fair play from the un-tied kingdom. Never wanted perfection just decency, whoever the party was. 2/6: Our own fearless leader, Kathy Burke, has been sharing the joy of arty #Indie creativity, this weekend on twitter.
I hence followed, Salty Designs https://twitter.com/GlasgowSalty "Glasgow artists making art to make money for good causes" and visited their Etsy Page. Right there is feedback from my friend Helen who had bought a t shirt with that very design for her fella! #ArtfulFest is full of such serendipity. I met Helen when we were both singing along to Mark Morriss, voice of The Bluetones (he's a cracker!). I call what I do "singing", but hey, I enjoy it. I love the song 'Broken Starr', (on a veritable BluetonesFest of a Playlist at Spotify) so years ago, when I saw a broken blue star gathering dust in their Glasgow dressing room, I gave it a home, and it still lives with me. Mark himself has just played four sold out shows in Rocklands this week, but I, sneezy local, hope to feel tip top and catch him again. "Yer Da Guards Statues" though, heh heh! https://instagram.com/salt_sass/ 3/6 #ArtfulFest listings already had Big Mo Day. Celebrating singers, song writers and musicians who are born entertainers, on and off the stage... and now, the above got added!
4/6: Love Music Hate Racism Fundraiser Updates, links/info at FB Page 5/6: Big Joanie, Newer Wave fave rockers were to hit Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds to play an afternoon matinee show AND an evening set but due to pandemica, please note that this show has been cancelled. 6/6: Finally, THIS two minutes of smiling, the musical, should be on the news! Share The Joy.
19th October 2020
1/3: Get In Her Ears are set for a Happy Monday during their third anniversary celebrations, with an Instagram take-over by Bugeye Hear 'Sunday Monday' from the band's spectacular, Summer 2020 debut album 'Ready Steady Bang'. Then enjoy rum day Monday evening engagement. Musical activists, Bugeye, photographed by Julia Woolams at 31% Wool. 2/3: Get in your hearts for starving children because our shitting image of a misgovernment don't care. Thank you so much Marcus Rashford. #EndChildFoodPoverty – no child should be going hungry. * Please sign the petition * Also wanna say thank you for feeding people to (no, the starving are not even cake from the "royals") but to Dave Jones. Who? An every day people reminder that Britain CAN be Great. Working Class Nobility, both. 3/3: #ArtfulFest addition to #TheZineUK doc #FuturePicks playlist is the Planet Lockdown dimension video of the ferociously fantastic 'i'm gonna tell my therapist on you' by Pinkshift. Watch it, you (will) love to see it. Then pre-save the band's next single, 'Rainwalk', which is dropping on Friday October 23rd, via levelmusic.lnk.to/Rainwalk
20th October 2020 20 'Handsworth Revolution', Steel Pulse, Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Midlands Musical Mavericks and Marvels of all kind are still flavouring music, so here is some time travel through cyberspace to 1979 and back to all the children of peace, justice and revolution then, now, next... for the sake of the babies, Babylon IS falling. #2020vision beats. 21st October 2020 1/6 : End Of The Trail returns to Amersham Arms. (SOLD OUT)
A co-promotion with Play It Loud and an all star cast. Headliners, Couples are in a genre all of their own that is post post-punk and pre-next art rock. Bootleg audio (esp vocals) on a video from their crowning headline set for The Music People Party (December 2019 - they crowned the last live music days of The Monarch). The night inspired #FuturePicks TV which piloted in January but ambitious April aspirations were foiled. For now. We keep creating because #WeAreViable I had the joy of Family Jools coming from Bristol to London last November for our show at the Water Rats in Kings Cross. They lost half the band on the way(!) but still played the show. Their songs did not let them down. Youth, time travelled from the 1960s and 1970s in an Americana guitars beat combo tinted musical tardis. Groovy brand new single 'U Got It Going On' has got IT going on... Luvia is another favourite of TheZineUK doc, angel's breath vocals! I have yet to catch the opening set live on stage, but let's face it, Enjoyable Listens is already a winner of a name! The entire line up are tipped as fuq. Is a birthday do, on top, so... also Happy Birthday to the Summers Twinnies of Unemployable Welsh Scum DJs, Totally Tidy Tours musicians who are part of the Pop Of The Tops Club original Artful inspiration. Our friend, "Beast" (lej 'n' lovely Dickie Hammond of Leatherface), gave the world "Share The Joy" (talking about the dregs of a beer can at hangover o clock in The House Of Rock which Paul and Stewart introduced me to). Tidy! 2/6 : Andy Burnham - a salute. Geez ain't perfect, no human is, but what he's saying is Perfectly True. Don't matter where you live, unless yer a nazitoff enabler, we are all Manchester this last decayed decade. Besides, he's already a #MusicTourism Mayor who promotes local talent. Oh, and from lies on the side of a bus to throwing a nation under it: #GTTO 3/6 : The Class War Is ON. It wouldn't be #ArtfulFest without the Arts-fusing National Treasures who are Manic Street Preachers. The UK's first No.1 of the 21st Century opens with a quote from Noam Chomsky, closes with one from Albert Camus and is named after another by William Gladstone. They are on my personal University of Life syllabus. Read this twitter thread from Dizzy Spell, Editor of TheZineUK doc: "I think Manic Street Preachers studies should be mandatory for year 5/6."
In twenty years, we've gone from being a fairly united kingdom (actual queendom, though, but thanks for admitting that Women can be kings) to this untied klan-bog, heading for the horrorism of brexshit. Heads up, we fight on. 4/6 : #wewillbeheard have you SEEN this powerful video from David Dutton? It's doing the rounds of the aware. The SelfServatives are not listening to us, the people. So... Stop whispering. Start shouting. Share The Joy. 5/6 : Fun fact; every month of Black lives are #BlackHistoryMonth once lived. #ArtfulFest is a Future #Uniqulture month, in addition. You watch these recommendations weave.
In the background of much, this Mad Old Bat (Deluxe) is so much more than my melanin, gender, clumsiness and laughs. Im truly endeared by this (cropped for this page) picture (and that my Mansun mask is a bit wonky. Looks like me). I bumped into my dear (electric energy) friend, Victor, on the crossing at Amersham Arms. He was about to play a gig, singing with rock n roll aces, MOSES. The clouds over the Republic of Rocklands were electric peach in places. I asked if he could please take my pic with this awesome poster. Thank you, also to Andrew P Childs for informing me that it is designed by Greg Bunbury. This evening was another moment Made In Lewisham, by Trust The Doc (previewed Artful Day 15) - new futures have been already made. 6/6 : TreeSisters The Year It All Changed Tweet your tree love @treesisters with #HealthyTreeHealthyMe
22nd October 2020
ArtBeat's supernatural wonders: Magical Digital Dreams, Collage Art ~ go treat your eyes and mind! ~ Polstarsartyfart Insta | Polstarsartyfart FB 23rd October 2020
Friday's Class War soundtrack includes my "Pleb" sensibility choosing Holst's 'Mars' from The Planets suite. With the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Elysian Singers (Women's Voices) conducted by Susanna Mälkki. Performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Arts Arts Arts! 24th October 2020 Record Store Day @recordstoreday will be largely virtual this year rather than in Record Shops? 25th October 2020
The Deptford Mix Up (volume 3.5 - sold out) is this week's Sunday Service (Amersham Arms does awesomely acclaimed Vegan Sunday Roast, too https://theamershamarms.net #ArtfulFest x ArtBeat : The previously mentioned 31% Wool is part of this year's @Secret7s exhibition (the seventh, and final) now open at @NOWGallery Seven hundred unique artworks inspired by musicians at all levels of profile and from the sounds of Aretha Franklin to Foo Fighters, visualised. The @chooselove eBay auction goes live auction on Sunday to raise money for Help Refugees with a physical show next week. Timed tickets for Safety 1st. https://secret7.com/page/exhibition ends 1/11 (North Greenwich tube, Rocklands Costa del Thames).
26th October 2020
Featured Artists Coalition held their AGM on line, this month. It was informative, inclusive and engaging. As previously mentioned in this blog, as a DIY promoter/artist supporter in grassroots music venues, I can vouch for feeling involved. Quite a lot of music business can feel like talking over the heads of the new-music world which functions in small spaces. Music Venue Trust and Association of Independent Promoters are included in key industry movershakers who have had the time of day for Rocklands ArtBeat events/artists and documenting. It's much appreciated as the diverse and interdependent newer wave of talent and it's industrious allies strive to flavour the future. There are a huge number of organisations supporting the music world. We are blessed to have them all. The creative and crew community have been told to "get a proper/better job" forever but the world is dark without the human need for the civilisation of arts. We sing and dance before we can talk and speak. I hope we survive. This week, I imagine a landscape where home grown talent goes unrealised in a land where letting Children starve could even be an option. Let's talk about Britain Ireland as potentially our version of a "World Tour" while we work out the Brexshit ShitShow, imminently. The #Safety1stGigs are an indication of how rapidly music adapts to trying everything to look after artists and audiences. We are rebuilding brick by brick. The Music Support networks are holding what's left of our mental health together.
This morning I woke at 4am and soundtracked the start of the week with albums by Birthmarks, Nova Twins, Bugeye, Michael Kiwanuka, MOSES, Asylums, Jemma Freeman & The Cosmic Something. All different. A few of the key albums for me), but from six years of documenting TheZineUK's widescape of cast: "So many adventures / great albums over the years, Mourning Birds, Indian Queens, Algiers, Bad Wolf, No Home, The Blinders, Ghostpoet, Pigs x 7, Declan McKenna, Dream Nails, The Wolfhounds, Dream Wife, Tom Mouse Smith, Pins... LOADSA balance to the force... " the last page of TheZineUK latest picture book diary. plus New Music and #MusicWomen Supporter - Lucy McCourt - credit her, also, with this year's female updated rock festival posters alongside other empowering initiatives.
27th October 2020 1/3 #ArtfulFest - Yes of course that historic, futuristic Diversity Dance Performance video #BlackLivesMatter! It's spectacular, beautiful, kind, thoughtful and about LOVE, PEACE, our NHS and UNITY. (Also it winds up Little Britain's Gammonatti tribe, but give them their due, at least their share one hive mind). Controversial, but we could learn from bigoted bullies. Then flavour it with our diversity, kindness and hope. Yes? Make A Song And Dance About Everything. Let's aim to one day, truly be the United KINdom of talented GREAT Britain. Sometimes you have to get sick, before you start feeling better. 2/3 More diversity enriching history and culture; #ItsMoreThanAMonth is a film by the people of Lewisham, South East London where the statement "we mostly coexist" is a truth. The spectrum of humanity's heritages have been neightbours and international shaggers for centuries here. Thank you Made In Lewisham for sharing this short. Some of their some of their Now Exhibition portraits taken by @deswilliephoto are in this film. Get the kettle on, and enjoy/learn/empathise. Info, links and music credits at YouTube. Also "Now" is so NOW! Follow https://twitter.com/madeinlewisham for updates! In Pandemica, our voices are 4REAL. Yes. #WeAreLewisham London Borough of Culture 2022.
3/3 : For 2021, Rocklands is the people's republic of uniqulture. Parallel dimension imagination. I keep creating a world for the 21st century woodland folk, towards not needing to point out that any human lives matter. My family would get to laugh and adventure even more than usual. Nature and key workers are revered. Horses are key transport. Health is wealth, and shared by basic human rights of sustenance, shelter and security. We make a song and dance about everything on our home world of Planet Water. Giggles and cuddles and splashing in puddles. Nothing daft about that, it's real life. If you choose love and believe in the super power of kindness, then you are invited to Share The Joy. (the photo in this image is good people singing and dancing in central London as we marched against going to war with Iraq)
28th October 2020
1/3 #MusicTourism Cardiff, East Spanglier(East of England), Liverpool, Glasgow, Dublin, Bath, Camden, Belfast, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, Brighton, Truro, Sheffield, Portsmouth, Nottingham, South London and the delight of being sent to Coventry. Gigged locally or away? Virtually or Physically. What are your MUSIC venue, studio, style, food, drink, accomodation, events, music related galleries and tourism tips/anecdotes for here or elsewhere, please? Go! Pic: A lovely walk along Canal Street to rock out at the the Neighbourhood Festival wristband exchange, October 2019. Looking forward to post pandemic days, and more adventures. 2/3 Step away from our world for a few minutes with 'All For Me' by The Kecks. This video for their latest single is superbly shot, chorographed, styled, coloured and soundtracked: Definitely Artful! 3/3 - Literature. What's on your reading and listening wish list? Mine goes to talented friends who I have met through going home to a grassroots music venue to rock out - John Clay, Kate O Brien and Tommy Kennedy IV tell individual tales outside of that. Director, writer, instigator; John Clay's debut novel is out now. You can hear John read SPIDERFINGERS - The Russian Doll Stories: Act I where there are links to to the online novel and John's social media. If you live in your head regularly, I feel you will enjoy. With two children’s novels in paperback and ebook'Driftwood' and 'Amethyst ; The Pixie Plot' Kate O'Brien is an author and blogger with an uplifting outlook that motivates in more ways than one. instagram.com/kates.words @kates_words http://kateswords.com
28th October 2020 (continued)
Tommy Kennedy IV is a legend of Under The Westway's world wide reputation, introduced to me as Pink Cigar's manager by Heather Minx as we instigated live music streaming music TV in 2012. Yeah, women powered. Tommy is woven into so many band stories, it turns out that his own tale is one of the most rock n roll! His book, 'Nightmare In Jamaica' is a music insider's insider! Click here for when Warrington Guardian ran a story that wouldn't be out of place in Rolling Stone! He called it with The K's, who I saw last year at Y Not Festival. Pictures from another memorable Night & Day! I snapped this pic for TheZineUK of Tommy imparting wisdom to Mourning Birds and Holly when the band played Mau Mau Bar at Portobello Live Festival (2nd April 2016 from Chapter 009). I love musical adventures.
29th October 2020 1/4 #ArtfulFest x #AnotherCoolThing - TheZineUK interviewed on Soho Radio by Cool Thing Presents (Luke Branch of Asylums and Hayley Hill of Cool Thing Records)
Record label x TheZineUK platform = MUCH love and laughter. Listen again on MixCloud Forget Eastenders, Southenders mate! That's where it's AT.
One of my favourite songs is 'Hunger' by Anita Maj - one of the expansive community of "Rocklands, Republic of Uniqulture". Click here to stream.ArtBeat: Illustration by Emma Melton from a photograph by Rupert Hitchcox. Anita is a musician, composer, producer, independent label boss, carer and a golden soul with allies on both sides of the Atlantic. Real life has twisted all our plans but it's also why the cast and crew of TheZineUK documentary (six years of back stories weaving) tell a unique facet of life rocking and loving, despite tory misrule. We nattered and laughed together a year or so ago, adventuring to the DEUX FURIEUSES album launch at The Camden Mix Up. Engaged night out with a very cool friend, then with loads of them! (Eight pix in diary) You don't generally hear the phrase A&R Women, but #MusicWomen have helped scout the Newer Wave's Fertile Environment. As one of them, I think I am not too shabby spotting a potential star (on or off stage) and am glad that both national and student radio in USA played this song without it being released. Anita - so supportive of fellow musicians - has 2021 plans on the horizon. Tune into them via; https://facebook.com/anitamajpage/
2/4 Just because there is no 'Alive' Tour this year, don't think for one minute that This Feeling does not remain one of the most vital things to happen not just to new/music but to levelling up the playing field for us working class rockers, EVER. On AND off stage. As a promoter myself, what can I say except RESPECT (and thank you so much for all the support and good times/tips over the years). A core component of the newer music industrious. Essential and prolific in these strangest of times https://thisfeeling.co.uk/ for the emerging interdependence, This Feeling keeps our rock and roll dreams alive.
29th October 2020 (continued) 3/4 Today's ArtfulFest picks are all components of this brilliant reality (illustrated below) by our dimension's government, Music Venue Trust. If there are Better Jobs than what we (work hard at and pay taxes from), well, I'm still waiting for one example. In the mean time, this Love Pirate has a musical adventure. Again. To experience, today.
4/4REAL Who else but a grassroots music venue community centre (Amersham Arms) would enable a magick and moon tinted, situationist performance theatre of multi media to create a yellow (pink and purple, next!) brick road of Uniqulture to become a reality - i.e. TheZineUK via ArtBeat events. Thank you, Andy Palmer and team.
30th October 2020
In the mean time, one of the Cool Thing Records artists, electro pop star in waiting, Beckie Margaret has a (not passively) "sonically -aggressive" new single 'Divine Feminine' - which could also aptly describe her vocals https://smarturl.it/Divine-Feminine
while #AnotherCoolThing BLAB is on the bill for this rocktastic night out in New Cross with Kick Out The Jams and Rotor Videos on 17th November! (psst - lazy, penis fixated music festival bookers ("prick-sated"?), take note!) - PLEASE NOTE, NOW MOVED TO JANUARY 2021!
30th October 2020 (continued)
2/4 'I Am An Island', the first single from RtN Makes Music. Got a voice on her! Rhiannon has already made an appearance earlier this ArtfulFest month, now this news is just in. Bandcamp / Spotify / iTunes - No ordinary artist or story (Rhiannon is sufficiently creative and prolific to give herself a thirty Day Song Challenge at https://facebook.com/rtnmakesmusic/ Here's the lovely lady herself interviewed by Louise Schofield at the #FuturePicks Show pilot in January, about a few more of her talents! #MusicWomen rock. (warning, contains the
words "Happy New Year" ha ha...) RtN Makes Music Instagram, Facebook and Twitter = @rtnmakesmusic 3/4 Rocklands republic of uniqulture locals, just along the way from Little Nan's in Deptford Fun City: Sweet Tweet AAJA #WeAreViable weekender! @aajadeptford, 48 hour - dance ON live stream for @WeAreViableUK starting 10am today with shows from New York, Tokyo, Ibiza, Bermondsey... All the greats! Word up: @datatrans https://datatransmission.co/news/dance-musiccommunities-unite-for-48hr-radio-takeover/ 4/4 Beat: Sprituality and which witch? A wizard, in fact. Man of The Artful Month Match goes, of course, to the previously mentioned Marcus Rashford with respect to all who sail with him.
Twitter: "Here’s the new England emerging from the shadows of post-imperial deluded quasi-fascist Tory public school privileged paedophille pomposity. Right here." - Irvine Welsh. "Marcus Rashford is the Britain we used to be, want to be and are supposed to be." Danny Wallace. Having voted for Jeremy Corbyn, "the left"/socialists etc remain the butt of Murderoch Empire's incited sneers, jeers and smears even after the election (and with a neo liberal centrist leader, which should be a winner because the establishment approve). As a Black woman, I'm uncomfortable that genuine racists have taken over, as a Brit that our Muslim neighbours suffer "government" Islamaphobia with no media batting an eye. Supporting Apartheid includes hierarchies of bigotry. But from the reaction to Marcus Rashford actioning what Jeremy Corbyn laid out in a manifesto so affordable that it cost less than the tory heist, I take from this week and my real friends that the idea of a fairer society isn't just going to disappear. Hope lies with the young and we proles. Oh, and that hat trick, historical in a week when all things change. Back Of The Next x 3 is the magic number.
31st October 2020 31 A Full Hunter's Blue Moon Samhain weekend. Goodbye Artful, Hallowe'en We are viable. We can not STOP creating! 1/7 : New! Something different and new joining the variety show of podcasts which have enriched multi media possibilities: Chat The Great
This imminent series is inspired by the vintage 1970s/1980s chat shows beloved of your grandparents (Michael 'Parky' Parkinson etc.) but passionately developed with 21st century relevance. "Conversations with people from all fields who we admire." (Chat The Great). Presenters, Louise Schofield and Victor M. Moses are hard working and diligent in their individual (acclaimed) creative lives. These will be well researched, with something new to learn each episode as both are engaging charismas coming from a true place. https://www.chatthegreat.com/ Artwork by Mash Design. Some well known names on board, already. Do you recognise any of the voices in the trailer at https://twitter.com/chatthegreat #ChatTheGreat 2/7 : #WeMakeEvents - This is bitter sweet: Looking fab, like a fifth member of Bugeye, Kitchen Disco Queen, Sophie Ellis Bextor says of this video: "The song Crying At The Discotheque would usually want a video recorded in - you guessed it - a disco or club, but I have been thinking so much recently about all my musician and crew friends who can't work at the moment, I thought a video where I film in as many empty London venues as possible would highlight all that's on hold at the moment." Check in with wemakeevents.com/ 3/7 : Have your own disco tonight!
I love Simon Price! Join @SpellboundClub's Virtual Hallowe'en Party live on Twitch (/spellboundclub) from 10pm for five hours of Alt-80s classics, Hallowe'en anthems and horror videos. It's FREE, but GoFundMe donations welcome (/spellboundhalloweenparty). 4/7 : No way am I rounding off a month of posterity tips without tenaciously recommending '...And Then The Rain Stopped' by Birthmarks. I waited patiently for this album, and to say that it doesn't disappoint is a massive understatement. This video for 'Wax' is simply lyrical, in every sense. Turn it up loud, rewatch to sing along then treat yourself to the LP. Home grown greatness. https://birthmarkssound.bandcamp.com/album/and-then-the-rain-stopped
31st October (continued) More #MusicWomen Power: 6/7 : Already Twinkling, Art Grunge Queen Star in waiting, MeMe Detroit hosts a Pagan ritual at 1630hrs GMT. Sort Of!
"We've decided we're gonna come hang and throw a proper watch party with you all for the new video" (The Pagans S.O.H.) - 'The Pagans Are Alive' is directed by Karis Crimson (who shares a sneak peaks on her instagram) Fullest Watch Party Info: https://www.facebook.com/thepagansband/ Listen to MeMe Detroit's freshly unleashed 'Mean Rock N Roller'. Visually uplifting. Tunefully ear worming. Lyrically meaning so much to every aspect of the lives of my extended family friend circle, and yours too probably, if you're reading this. "It's a calling, it's a deep lifestyle". 2020 videos are personal documentaries of being over the rainbow while under the radar. That is no mean feat.
#WeAreViable #WeMakeEvents #SaveOurVenues #LetTheMusicPlay
31st October 2020 (continued)
It can not be stressed, sufficiently that without arts, sport, ease and joy we are fourth world barbarian savages. These medicinal Human Rights have been culled by misgovernment's decayed decade. #2020Vision sees clearly that we, the people, could come together and make a song and dance above everything - Agreeing to disagree, but working hard in this Orwellian, Dickensian Dystopia of global hostile environment to make a kinder, greener, fairer (and so, safer, cheaper) Home Planet. The greedy, boring and deluded "elite" need to get with the Humanity programme. The Establishment daleks can stick calling us #HumanCapitalStock up their collective arse-for-brain and retrain as respectful humans. Join the Fertile Environment that six years of sixth sense symbiotic supernature (a tiny facet of music world, DIY documented and reported) have proven to be highly viable. Kindness is a superpower. Come on dear hearts. We CAN make a difference. Nobody is flying out of the sky to rescue us from The Great Reset. There's more than one way to resist the fash coup. Mother Nature and Father Time, please Bless all who care for, and respect others. Bless all in need. Bless the virtual Marcus Rashford* Party which galvanised this week to feed children. So many differences made for goodness sake. (*23 today, thank YOU). For your 2020 Bingo Card: A Hunter's Moon moon for Samhain Weekend: Full moons on Halloween are rare, the last one was in 2001, the next in 2039. This will also be a Blue Moon (i.e. the second full moon in one calendar month).
7/7 : It's a sign. A star sign, in fact. The bewitching outtro soundtrack for #ArtfulFest2020 is a demo of 'Cancer' by Monefa Walker Thank you anybody who read about/supported or connected with the 2020 ArtfulFest recommendations for posterity. Peacemas continues on the Planet Water dimension, until the Winter Solstice. Peace, out.
We ARE viable at ALL levels of industrious of this Velvet Goldmine tinted Steam-punk reality. Dickensian poverty vies with satanic greed. Workhouses rebranded "Zero Hour" paths to Food Bank misery. Creative escapism refuses to quit. Please hire Artful people, fairly, for your most treasured projects. #Safety1stGigs : Please note all public events on #ArtfulFest 2020 posterity page are taking #Covid19 precautions. A few images from the original ArtfulFest months of cross-discipline creativity and partying
Artful Festival ended when the CON's Decayed Decade began in 2010.
The original
I still love our council estate as a DIY HQ.
A pictorial digest History Of Artful
Model:
Eugene Ankomah, Performance Artist, Mentor (and an inspiration for all communities)
That time Artful launched at a Pirate's Bar. Of course.
Sometimes we just met up, put ideas on cardboard stars, then made them happen.
When Eddy Lawrence was the music editor of Time Out Magazine, he came and hung out and got involved. Thank you for letting us use the logo for RAR! events, also, Eddy. Pictured here with members of Dirty Sounds DJs and The Faeries Band/Artists. Always remembered and respected.
After the infamous "24 Hour Concrete Glastonbury" of the first Rocklands Party (5th May 2007), we held a second multi venue fest for ArtfulFest month, that October.
LEKIDDO, Lord Of The Lobsters, is now a top Glastonbury Festival regular and favourite. Image by Rupert Hitchcox.
Thank you to Annie at The Bunker (Deptford Broadway) for decorating the venue when ArtfulFest was part of a Deptford X Festival cross over.