Keep Your Wheels Is your favourite mode of transport a scooter, moped or motorbike? If so, keepyourwheels.com could make you £100 better off this time next year. How come? Well, keepyourwheels.com is one of those rare websites which actually gives you money – no joke! Imagine receiving a lovely cheque and what you could spend that cash on. How does it work? It’s so easy. Simply, register your name and details at keepyourwheels.com to become a member. After that there are five simple steps to getting your cash;
Step1: Prove your roadworthiness – i.e. post,
email, or photo message your paperwork to prove your legal. £20 credit.
Step2: Complete all 12 monthly quizzes – don’t worry even we got these right! £20 credit.
Step3: Get extra training – by booking a free keepyourwheels.com ‘One to One’ ride-out or by completing an advanced riding course and/or full licence. £20 credit.
Step4: Show us your skills on the track – attend
a free keepyourwheels.com ‘Go-Karting’ session held during the year. £20 credit.
Step 5: Keep a clean licence for a 12 month period. £20 credit.
Don’t worry if you intend to go on to learn to drive a car, you can still take part so long as you’re aged 16-24 and live in Bristol, Bath & NE Somerset, South Glos or North Somerset. Numbers are limited so sign-up quick.
Contents/ 7/ Prefer September 9/ Auntie Harper 32/ Horoscopes by Mystic Ginger
A12/Sly look back at August The best of Festivals 21/ The best of Cinema
A24/Sly look forward at September Recommended Gigs 25/ Recommended Art 26/ Recommended Club 27/ Recommended Stage 29/ Recommended Cinema
For those of you pretending to work, you can also read the magazine online at www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk www.bristollistings.co.uk
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DonNatoew! Help save our sausages and keep Bristol’s No.1 independent magazine! Just go to www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk and follow the links.
SY On The Sly – Prefer September
June was warming. July was scorching. August was soaking. For all our sakes let’s hope this September is bitching so we can wave goodbye to the summer in style. The season’s not over yet and there are still plenty of exciting events going on across Bristol including still more festivals! So keep your fingers crossed and your raincoats in the closet cos I’ve got a good feeling about September! September 2010 sees the nineteenth issue of SY On The Sly, the sister publication of Suit Yourself Magazine – Bristol’s number one independent, quarterly magazine which investigates, uncovers and promotes everything that makes Bristol such a fun, vibrant and altogether amazing place to live! Read away and don’t forget to check out the latest issue of Suit Yourself Magazine, our listings service and our constantly updated blog, all found at: www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk www.bristollistings.co.uk
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Auntie Harper SY's Agony Aunt answers your questions?
1. What’s the craziest place you’ve ever had sex?! In the snow on the top of the mountain was pretty crazy. I’ll tell you one thing though, my friend, I thought about your Mum the whole time. 2. I want to get a pet Harper, what animal do you reckon is best? I’ll let you off this month. Not sure there’s anything too offensive I can say about that. I reckon you should get a cat, as they are the best. However, go careful if you live near a busy road. The other week I had to help a very distraught lady by helping her scrape her pancaked cat off the side of the road and lift it in to the boot of her car. That definitely wasn’t the highlight of my week. 3. How often should you visit a Sexual Health Clinic? When you think something is up or when you start smelling bad. Tell your Mrs that mate. Last time I went down on her she smelt like one of those fryers at Harry Ramsdens! To put your queries to Auntie Harper’s sympathetic ear just email: info@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk
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Check out Suit Yourself Magazine, the sister publication of SY On The Sly. Suit Yourself Magazine is a free, quarterly printed magazine that has been going strong for over four years and can be found in every shop, cafe, pub, club, restaurant, hairdresser, gallery and venue all over Bristol! Suit Yourself Magazine is an independent publication, a voice for all those young at heart, those interested in music, fashion, adventure, the arts, their environment and everything in between. A magazine which investigates, uncovers and promoters everything that makes Bristol such a fun, vibrant, and altogether amazing place to live. Pick it up on the streets of Bristol or read back issues at: www.suityourselfmagazine.co.uk
A SLY look back at AUGUST Reviews of all the best gigs, art, clubs, stage and cinema over the last month in Bristol
Green Man 2010 Friday 20th until Sunday 22nd August 2010 @ Glanusk Park Estate, Brecon Beacons Featuring Performances From: The Flaming Lips, Beirut, Johnny Flynn, Laura Marling, Darwin Deez, Josie Long, DJ Yoda, Metronomy, Gold Panda When you’re sat in your tent pitched in the Welsh valleys, wasted on cheap cider, full of reasonably priced nachos and having just seen The Flaming Lips enter the stage via a door in a naked woman’s vagina, you start to wonder why you ever bothered with festivals that aren’t Green Man. It’s obvious when nestled into deepest Brecon, whether you’re watching Beirut trumpet their way through a rousing cacophony, laying a 239 point Scrabble smackdown around a pub table or chowing down on a heroic amount of tempura, that this is a festival that cares about the people there. Less of the cattleherding, battery-farming of Reading and Leeds; more an attention to detail that makes this one of the best kept secrets (though less a secret every year) of the festival calendar. Highlights included the aforementioned Flaming Lips, whose arsenal of confetti cannons, jumbo balloons and video screens threatened to outclass the actual music - until Do You Realise played out to near riotous crowd reaction. Elsewhere, Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling provided a fable-folk double-punch (if anything so fragile could ever be classed as a ‘punch’) and Darwin Deez made up in synchronised dancing what he lacks in, well, being in tune. Add to this a comedy tent so packed for the ever-charming Josie Long that it caused someone to faint, late night crowd-pleasing from DJ Yoda, Metronomy and Gold Panda, and a curious lack of attitude amongst punters (maybe it was muffled by all those beards) and you’ve got yourself a winner - despite the near-constant rain. But then again, you’re in a Welsh valley. What did you expect? www.greenman.net Jamie Winehouse
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Big Chill 2010 Thursday 5th until Sunday 8th August 2010 @ Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Herefordshire Featuring Performances From: Massive Attack, Thom Yorke, Mr Scruff, Bonobo, Mount Kimbie, Caribou, Craig Charles’ Fantasy Funk Band, Roy Ayres The likes of MIA, Tinie Tempah and Lily Allen drew a slightly younger audience to this year’s Big Chill Festival, though there was still plenty to be found to satisfy the festival’s more seasoned patrons. Ever since The Big Chill’s humble beginnings as a small ambient dance festival in the Black Mountains of Wales, few would dispute that Friday night’s headliners, Massive Attack were the perfect band for the festival. Silhouetted in trademark eerie shadows and dim lighting, they delighted with their menacing austerity engrossing the eclectic audience. Safe From Harm, Angel and a minimal version of Teardrop led to a predictable but triumphant climax in Unfinished Sympathy, and an inspired crowd headed in the direction of the dance tent, ready to party long into the night. Earlier, an at-ease Thom Yorke had brought in the crowds, playing a set that included old classics I Might Be Wrong, The Gloaming, and Everything In Its Right Place combined with tracks from his solo album; The Eraser. The Radiohead front-man did not fail to impress and left the stage to a wonderful acoustic rendition of Airbag, and a rapturous reception. As in recent years, the festival lived up to its name, with generally a relaxed and friendly atmosphere ruling the weekend, and Big Chill favourites Mr Scruff and Bonobo playing familiar but enjoyable sets.
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Elsewhere, on Saturday night, Mount Kimbie played to a small crowd on the Clash Stage, delivering their own brand minimal electronica with ambient guitar sweeping across the samples and loops and to the festival. Though enjoyable, the duo seemed to be suffering from a lack of confidence but should soon find their feet on the live stage after finding their excellent debut album Crooks And Lovers generally well received in the press. Caribou’s performance earlier had been more self-assured and polished, with the band giving a pleasing run-through of Swim, their debut album. In the Reveller’s tent, both Craig Charles’ Fantasy Funk Band and Roy Ayres managed to revive tired legs into dancing on Sunday. Special mention should also be reserved for Spencer Tunick’s achievement in rousing 500 people on Saturday morning for his latest nude installation art-work, painting bodies in yellow and blue to symbolise the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and also, for the secluded location of the Lazyland stage, which provided a great opportunity for those wanting to escape the crowds. Despite grievances from Big Chill regulars that the festival has become too commercial since being bought out by Festival Republic in 2009, it keeps on attracting genuine music lovers and the rolling hills of Herefordshire continue to be a perfect setting for a highly enjoyable weekend. www.bigchill.net James Wood
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Reading 2010 Friday 27th until Sunday 29th August 2010 @ Little John’s Farm, Reading Featuring Performances From: Gogol Bordello, Streetight Manifesto, Delphic, Lostprophets, Guns N Roses, Rolo Tamassi, Hadouken, Dizzee Rascal, The Libertines, Ash, Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill, Weezer, Paramore, Blink 182 Reading Festival 2010 kicked off, in a true British fashion, with rain and lots of it! Naturally this was never going to dampen spirits though, just tents and summer wardrobes. Having bought some wellies and much needed ponchos, I set out to see as many of the bands I had put a mental ‘tick’ next to and with such a strong line up this year, there was bound to be overlaps and hidden gems. The festival’s mix of rock, metal, hip-hop and dance was spread over six stages all in one very large field. Friday festival highlights included the crazy gypsy collective, Gogol Bordello, who whipped the crowd into a frenzy with their energetic performance and zany European folk stylings; Streetight Manifesto; Delphic; and Lostprophets, a band I have always wanted to see live. The Welsh pretty boys of metal did not disappoint with a flawless set that made sure the crowd were treated to all the hits. Disappointment award definitely goes to the king of rock diva’s, Axl Rose, and his faux Guns N Roses. They came on stage over an hour late to an accolade of booes and projectiles, he changed his outfit between every song (your not Kylie, sir!), and the set was full of pointless piano solos and a seven minute James Bond theme intro to a rather weak Live And Let Die. Saturday and after an early start for Rolo Tamassi and the impressive electro rap-rock faves, Hadouken, I made my way into the sea of people waiting for Dizzee Rascal. Breaking from tradition, there was no DJ Semtex in sight, replaced by a full live band (including four backing singers). Gone are the days when Dizzee performs on top of backing tracks or DJs, he’s now a true showman. It’s also great to see that live hip-hop doesn’t have to be a cut and paste DJ set list. Definite highlight for me was the mash up of Stand Up Tall with Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit. I was stuck between two separate circle pits, one side rapping with Dizzee and the other singing with an imaginary Kurt Cobain.
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I stuck around for The Libertines reform, it seems as though they were genuinely happy to be playing with each other again, but ditched headliners, Arcade Fire, to go and watch Ash, a band I have loved for well over a decade! Joined by Russell (Bloc Party) Lissack on guitar, they belted out fan favourites like Kung Fu and Orpheus in one of the best sets of the whole weekend. Sunday was spent mostly in front of the main stage and in quick succession I watched the surprisingly good Limp Bizkit, the crowd-pleasing Cypress Hill, Weezer (who hadn’t played in the UK for 5 years and made up for it with a superb and energetic show), Paramore (who came on to the biggest screams of the festival), and then finally everything was brought to a close by another historic reformation, this time by Blink 182. Although not as tight or professional as other bands, they still know how to whip up a crowd though it soon became apparent that they hadn’t practiced some of their more familiar hits as they forgot the words quite frequently. But with the spectacle of a revolving drumkit being played upside down by Travis, many fans didn’t mind filling in the blanks. The highlight of their set was the haunting I Miss You which was a nice change of pace and created a unified sing along for all. Blink 182 were nowhere near the best band of the weekend but the crazy atmosphere it was the perfect way to send everybody off. www.readingfestival.com Stu Freeman Photos by Laura Palmer
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Shambala 2010 Friday 27th until Sunday 29th August 2010 @ Secret Location, Northamptonshire It felt like most of Bristol had upped sticks to live in the flamboyant, glittery, eco conscious land of Shambala for a few days. If only this festival existed all the time, 365 days a year, down a spankly little portal. Whipping on a furry lion suit and faux diamond encrusted headband, we could simply take a shimmy ‘Shambala break’. Be there dancing with men in tight pink trousers and women in purple wigs - kids dressed as monsters. But unfortunately this world doesn’t sit next to the KitKats in the vending machine at work and we have to make do with the Shambalic festival pleasure but once a year. It was my first Shambala, and it was also my friend’s hen do. Armed with an inflatable, decorative shark, named Phillpe, and plenty of gin and cider, we embarked on one of the best festival experiences I have ever had. I apply this high accolade for a variety of reasons. Here they follow; Excellent variety of music, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, all night parties, healing fields, workshops, non-nauseating family zones – families that were exactly how I want my family to be (highlights including ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ family), fun activities e.g. bike merry-go-round and welly tossing, fabulous dressing up, the recursive function immersive dome (RFID) -providing an all-encompassing audio and visual experience, and the beautifully decorated forest with tree havens and enchanting lights. Lah-vley! Shambala keep their line-up secret until the last minute, but ultimately dished up for its community some superb music. This includes; Shri, a man who plays the bass like no one else and stylishly infuses Indian music into electro, drum and bass and jazz sounds. Also Bristol formed writer, poet and passionate hip hop man, Dizraeli, who performed to a packed congregation - marvellous both alone and with a band. The Kamikaze and RFID tents were those that held the serious dub, drum and bass and electro etc. dancing food, whilst the smaller tents were crammed with brewing, modest talent – a delight to meander around both day and night. With its loyal following and positive, happy feeling, Shambala is like a mini section of Glastonbury. It’s exciting not knowing what music you will experience, and joyous knowing you can look as silly as you could possibly want to. It has the potential to be huge, but hopefully it will remain pint sized and liberated. But maybe I’m just being selfish.
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www.shambalafestival.org Helen Martin
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The Illusionist Friday 20th August until Thursday 2nd September 2010 @ Watershed, Bristol Do you remember the days before Toy Story style computer animation became the norm? When cartoons featured bouncy quiffs, white smiles with no teeth and slap stick ‘boing’s and ‘blub, blub’s coming from every enormous cliff/tree/bath tub? Childhood associations and a unique shabby charm make these animation reels appear more innocent and refreshing than any computerised film. Which is why when a modern day cartoon comes out at the flicks, there is a packed and varied audience, eager to see the beauty of old school style on the big screen. Sylvain Chomet’s, The Illusionist is one such film. A beautiful, poignant and atmospheric creation, The Illusionist, set in the 50s, centres on an ageing French magician and his lonely ramble from Paris to Scotland with only a feisty rabbit as his companion. The magician protagonist is endearing, solemn and kindly, reminiscent of a perfect Grandpa, but regretfully without the doting grandchildren. Whilst at a show, surrounded by under enthused indulgent English, our magician is offered a show on the Scottish island of Iona, where he meets a local girl, whom he travels with to Edinburgh. Chomet, who bought us Belleville Rendezvous, illustrates through their relationship, the wonders and perils of magic and the human condition of loneliness. All without a single word uttered throughout; only the stark sounds of reality echo, from the clock’s ticks to the drunk’s grunts. That, and a sweeping, modest piano theme tune that truly instils the sweetness and melancholy of the film. Although its central topic may be sad, The Illusionist is also very humorous, using both subtle and slapstick humour. It is also visually absolutely stunning. The colours of Scotland’s countryside are so vibrant, and the swooping shots of Edinburgh, portray its architectural magnificence. A spirit is captured in this film, it’s a combination of all that we miss, all that we fear and all that we love. www.watershed.co.uk Helen Martin
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A SL Y look forwar d at SEPT EMBER Pr eviews of al l the best gigs, art, club s, stage an d cinema coming up ne xt month in Bristol
Recommended Gig For September in Bristol Jonsi Wednesday 1st September 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
The Goodness // My Friend Friday Friday 3rd September 2010 @ The Cooler, Bristol
Barenaked Ladies Thursday 9th September 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
Fat Freddy’s Drop Saturday 11th September 2010 @ Academy, Bristol
Joanna Newsom Thursday 16th September 2010 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
Phil King Friday 17th September 2010 @ Grain Barge, Bristol
The Vaselines Tuesday 21st September 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol
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Willy Mason Wednesday 22nd September 2010 @ Thekla, Bristol
The Magic Numbers Friday 24th September 2010 @ Anson Rooms, Bristol
Babyhead Saturday 25th September 2010 @ Fiddlers, Bristol
Bristol Festival Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September 2010 @ The Amphitheatre, Bristol
Ocean Colour Scene Tuesday 28th September 2010 @ Academy, Bristol
Recommended Art For September In Bristol Kerry Tribe: Dead Star Light
Saturday 17th July until Sunday 12th September 2010 @ Arnolfini, Bristol Kerry Tribe’s film, video and installation works form an ongoing investigation into memory, subjectivity and doubt. Her new project comprises a series of three new works – Milton Torres See a Ghost, The Last Soviet and Parnassius mnemosyne – related to questions of personal and historical memory and their counterpart – erasure and forgetting. These works try to structurally engage in innovative ways with their media, which include 16mm film, reel-to-reel audio, and video, in innovative ways. www.arnolfini.org.uk
The Birds And The Trees
Friday 3rd until Wednesday 8th September 2010 @ Centrespace Gallery, Bristol A collection of limited edition prints, that celebrate nature’s form and beauty combined with the strength and simplicity of the graphic arts, two subjects that inspire Bristol born artist Paul Farrell. www.centrespacegallery.com
Bristol International Festival of Kites & Air Creations
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September 2010 @ Ashton Court Estate, Bristol Fantastic special shapes and dramatic painted portraits are just some of the highlights that will be flying at the 2010 Bristol International Festival of Kites & Air Creations. The arena programme will feature spectacular flying displays, kite fighting battles, breathtaking synchronised routines flown to music and awesome power kites as well as colourful ground-based inflatables and air sculptures of all shapes and sizes. www.kite-festival.org.uk
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Recommended Clubbing For September In Bristol Pressure
Every Thursday @ Thekla, Bristol
Propaganda
Every Wednesday @ Syndicate, Bristol
Ramshackle
Every Friday @ Academy, Bristol
Bristol Festival // Rave-on-Avon
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September 2010 @ The Amphitheatre, Bristol
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Recommended Stage For September in Bristol A Western
Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th September 2010 @ Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol
The Red Shoes
Tuesday 14th until Saturday 25th September 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
Bristol Poetry Festival
Monday 13th until Sunday 19th September 2010 @ Arnolfini, Bristol
The Bristol Do
Saturday 25th September 2010 @ Portland Square, Bristol
Bristol Festival
Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September 2010 @ The Amphitheatre, Bristol
The Author
Tuesday 28th September until Saturday 2nd October 2010 @ Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
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Recommended Cinema For September in Bristol The Girl Who Played With Fire
Friday 27th August until Thursday 9th September 2010 @ Watershed, Bristol This highly anticipated sequel to The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo sees brilliant anti-social computer hacker Salander (Noomi Rapace) and crusading journalist Blomkvist (Michael Nyqvist) once again caught up in a brutal murder investigation. www.watershed.co.uk
Tamara Drewe
Friday 10th until Thursday 23rd September 2010 @ Watershed, Bristol Posy Simmonds’ graphic novel is brought to life in this fabulously entertaining, funny romp of a film. Gemma Arterton is Tamara, once a shy, ugly teenager but now (thanks to a bit of cosmetic surgery) a glamorous, confident journalist newly returned to her childhood home in rural Dorset. Her comeback causes quite a stir in a village stuffed with neurotic weirdos. www.watershed.co.uk
Inception
Sunday 12th until Wednesday 15th September 2010 @ The Cube, Bristol A chance to re-watch the film everyone has been talking about this year. Is Christopher Nolan’s epic a classic? Or does it send you to sleep (that’s a dream, within a dream, within a dream, within an independent cinema). www.cubecinema.com
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Virgo: You’re a bit like an astronaut this month Virgo. It’s all floating about for ages doing nothing, and when you finally reach your goal it’s still just a pointless dead space. Oh, and you have to wee in a tube, probably. Libra: This month is like a game of Twister, Libra. Put your right hand on the red spot and your left hand on the yellow spot. Don’t know what to do about all the other spots. You are a greasy little blighter, aren’t you? Scorpio: You’re a bit like Jesus this month, Scorpio. Or at any rate you are talking rubbish and you need a haircut. Your lucky miracle: Ice Magic. Mmmmm, crunchy. Sagittarius: I’m afraid you’ll be affected by funding cuts this month, Sagittarius. It might be because you’ve let yourself go a bit. No-one wants to pay to see that take its clothes off – yuck! Capricorn: You’re a bit like a pizza this month, Capricorn: Crusty, oily and covered in scary cheese. Aquarius: It’s all palm trees, white sand and real, overwhelming happiness this month. For those Aquarians who live in the Bahamas that is. For you English ones it’s rain and doner kebabs, but you’re used to that. Pisces: You’re a bit under the weather this month, Pisces. Why, you ask? Because the weather comes from the sky, dumbass. Aries: Romance has big eyes and knows all the best nightlife spots this month, Aries. And can spin its head all the way round. What? What’s wrong with owls? You won’t get better than Tawny. No way. Taurus: Someone close to you thinks you are like a flower this month, Taurus. By which I mean that they think your head is so pretty they’re planning to cut it off and keep it in the house to look at. Gemini: Back to school for you this month, Gemini! And this time you will be grateful to go. It gets you out of your cell. Your lucky stuffed-full lunchbox: your ‘lunchbox’, I’m afraid. Ouch. Cancer: You are like a battery chicken stuck in the same tiny routine. Still, a captive chicken’s lifespan is only twelve weeks, so it’s not that long to be miserable. And in human years that’s like…. now.
SY On The Sly September 2010 Issue Editor: Matt Whittle / matt@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk Executive Editor: Faye Westrop / faye@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk Design and Illustration: James Penfold & Louisa Christadoulou / penfold@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of Suit Yourself Magazine. Suit Yourself Magazine and SY On The Sly are independent publications distributed throughout Bristol. Advertising Enquiries: faye@suityourselfmagazine.co.uk Contributors for Issue: Anna Freeman, Stu Freeman, James Harper, Helen Martin, Laura Palmer, Matt Whittle, Jamie Winehouse, James Wood