By Laura McCarthy. I’m sure some of you will admit to completing personality quizzes in magazines as a child or possibly an online Myers-Briggs questionnaire as an adult. Maybe you enjoy learning what your star sign says about you. Yes, there’s certainly something appealing about the idea of discovering...
Interview: Dr Abdoulie Sanneh chats about this weekend’s BBAM Festival in Southampton
By Sam Wise. Photo by Charlie Hislop. On Saturday 28th September, a festival of black business, music and arts will be held between 11 am and 7pm in Guildhall Square. This is the second year for BBAM (Black Businesses, Art and Music) in Southampton. Last year, there were 5000...
Music in the City to make a splash with the Hythe Ferry!
By Nick Mabey. There are only a few days to go now until the biggest free music event ever! Well I’m probably exaggerating but it certainly feels that way with 1703 artists forming 302 acts to give 326 performances at 60 venues (you can tell I’ve been on the...
Review and reflections: What’s there for ordinary folk at Southampton International Boat Show?
By Sam Wise. Southampton is an odd city; on the sea, historically interwoven with it, and yet it has little impact on many of the ordinary people who live here. We are surrounded by boats; cruise ships, yachts, dinghies, and all manner of other vessels, but, in my experience...
Bastille Presents; “&” (Ampersand) live – the ‘Candlelight Original Sessions’ this October
To celebrate the release of “&” (Ampersand) – a beautiful new project from Bastille’s Dan Smith out on 25th October, Bastille Presents; “&” (Ampersand) live – the ‘Candlelight Original Sessions’ which run across the UK this October. Held in beautiful and historic spaces across the UK, the unique dates...
Review: Lauran Hibberd, The Joiners, Southampton
By Vicky Greer. The warm, welcoming glow that greets you when you walk into The Joiners seems to burn even brighter tonight (22/09/2024) in anticipation of Lauran Hibberd’s return to the stage. It’s like the building has absorbed the comforting vibe of Lauran’s always-relatable lyricism and energetic pop-rock sound....
‘Reclaiming the Narratives’ – Black History Month South official launch on Monday
Image: Lou Taylor at a previous BMHS launch. Black History Month South (BHMS) has announced the official launch of its 2024 celebrations with an event themed “Reclaiming Narratives,” set to take place on Monday, 23rd September 2024. The event will run from 11am to 2pm at St Mary’s Fire...
BBAM Festival – a rich and immersive experience into African and Caribbean cultures
All images courtesy of BBAM. BBAM Festival is back this month for a second year, after a stunning launch in October 2023! BBAM Festival is a vibrant celebration of the Southampton’s African, Caribbean, and Black British communities, recognising the contributions of the city’s black businesses, artists, and musicians. It...
Interview: The team behind Southampton’s Abyssal Festival chat about its origins and where it’s going
All images by Becca Cairns Photography. The latest Abyssal Festival took place in Southampton at the weekend. Organisers David Burke, along with Harley Edwards and Chris Gilgan, chatted to Spring Wise about the event. “Small metal festivals have run in Southampton for years, on and off. When Harley...
Aiysha Jahan and Susmita Bhattacharya chat about new book Bridges not Borders: An Anthology of South Asian Writing
Image credit: Julien Masson. By Laura McCarthy. Bridges not Borders: An Anthology of South Asian Writing is a brand new anthology which champions South Asian voices. Laura McCarthy spoke to editors Wales-based Aiysha Jahan and Susmita Bhattacharya, who lives in Winchester, about the book. Can you summarise what the...