You can join Lynne Thompson, Los Angeles poet laureate, for her author talk and book signing of Blue on a Blue Palette at Southampton’s radical independent bookstore October Books, on Wednesday 8th May. Blue on a Blue Palette reflects on the condition of women—their joys despite their histories, and...
Southampton’s oldest musical society celebrates its centenary
SOS Presents (“SOS”) is the performing name of Southampton Operatic Society, the city’s oldest musical society, which celebrates its centenary this year. Having performed shows at the Guildhall, the Mayflower and the Nuffield Theatre in the past, in 2022 SOS adopted the wonderful MAST Mayflower Studios as its new...
New Forest poet Damian Kelly-Basher appointed Hampshire Poet Laureate
After a countywide search, the hunt for the Hampshire Poet is over. Damian Kelly-Basher from Brockenhurst was selected from a very strong field of writers from all over Hampshire who applied for the sought-after post. The appointment of the Hampshire Poet takes place every two years and is jointly...
Anchor Lane come to Southampton’s 1865 in May
Anchor Lane, who cite a wide range of influences including Nothing but Thieves, Royal Blood, Biffy Clyro, Queens of the Stone Age, Muse and Foo Fighters are one of the latest bands to come out of Scotland in recent years. Their headline tour will see them take to the...
Blancmange comes to Southampton following new release
Blancmange will release a career spanning new collection: ‘Everything Is Connected’ on 10th May, following this with a UK tour which comes to Southampton’s 1865 for its final date. Blancmange’s story is one of two distinct chapters. In the early ‘80s they infused the emergent synth-pop scene with oblique...
Southampton folk act Pegasuses has been named Turner Sims’ first Turn It Up local associate
Turn It Up is a new development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes, launched by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, earlier this year in association with SoCo Music Project. Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the programme aims to help local musicians turn up the...
Winchester Poetry Festival renames Winchester Poetry Prize’s ‘Hampshire Prize’ to honour local poet
Winchester Poetry Festival has launched its globally recognised Winchester Poetry Prize for the ninth year – renaming the ‘Hampshire Prize’ as the ‘Kathryn Bevis Prize’. The Winchester Poetry Prize receives around 2000 original and unpublished poems every year from all over the world. The competition judge this year is...
Interview: Southampton singer/songwriter Welly on single Shopping and more
By Lewis Maclean. Southampton-born singer/songwriter – Welly (aka Elliott), is the frontman in a group – Welly – named after the main character (like Scooby Doo), but the other players are Joe and Matt on guitars, Jacob on bass, and Hannah on percussion/synthesisers. Welly no longer lives in/around Southampton...
Review Come from Away, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton
By Graham Hiley. Imagine 7,000 travellers suddenly turning up in your home town – a bit like Southampton when the cruise ships are all in… but without the infrastructure to cope. That was the situation for the small Newfoundland town of Gander (population 9,500) when 38 planes were diverted...
View from the Kingsland: Ruled by hope or fear?
Saints fan column by Nick Mabey. I’ve been wanting to write this for a while, but the games have come so thick and fast that it is been hard to squeeze it in. And Saints’ fortunes have remained tantalisingly unknown throughout. Every match now means something and yet...