by Sally Churchward. The team behind Southampton’s untimately unsuccessful bid to become City of Culture 2025 have revealed new plans to boost culture in the city. It was a huge disappointment to many in the city when Southampton lost out to Bradford to claim the title, missing out on...
Features
Review and photos: Music in the City 2022
words and pictures by Mike Daish. I arrived at Guildhall Square on Saturday (September 24) just as The Rock Choir was about to kick of the music for the day. After they finished the Soul Catchers upped the volume a bit and by now a good-sized crowd had gathered...
New research finds community is vital for lesbian people in Southampton
by Dr Elizabeth Reed. Following a five month project in Southampton, researchers at the University of Southampton have learnt that, for lesbian people in the city, community is vital in navigating the city. We spoke to lesbian people aged between 22 and 58 who lived within 45 minutes of...
Heritage: Maundy Gregory, a cash for honours scandal and a link to The Beatles
by Martin Brisland. Arthur John Maundy Gregory (1877-1941), from Southampton, was a British theatre producer and political fixer. Gregory (pictured top) gained power and wealth through handling the sale of titles and the alleged blackmail of prominent politicians. Described as “a monocled dandy”, he wore jewellery including a green...
Why I drum – beating out rhythms as part of Portsmouth Batala samba-reggae band
by Katie Isham What are you drumming for? That was the question thrown at me, not for the first time. It’s a genuine inquiry. Not accusatory. Just curious. Being lucky enough to be part of the Portsmouth branch of the Batala samba-reggae band means I help bring Brazilian beats...
Featured artist: willow sculptor Jacqueline Rolls
by Sally Churchward. Artist Jacqueline Rolls is best known for her willow sculptures – from bees and other insects through animals such as pigs and hares to large unicorn and dragon heads. But in recent years the Southampton-based artist has been pushing herself further and further out of her...
Bastille on songwriting, being good allies and “the ‘eh, oh’ song”
by Sally Churchward. Being in a globally successful band and fame might seem synonymous. But for the members of Bastille there has always been a distinction, and they’ve worked hard to keep it that way. We’re chatting backstage at Victorious Festival. Later on they will headline at the Castle...
Review: Victorious Festival, Southsea Common
by Catherine Collins. Additional reporting by Sally Churchward. One of the biggest festivals in the south returned this weekend for a three day music extravaganza, with some of the industry’s most exciting names taking to the stages (26-28 August). This year, the organisers put some of the biggest acts...
Hampshire’s International Brigaders remembered in new book
by Alan Lloyd. Southampton author Alan Lloyd shares the background and some of the findings in his new book, Hampshire Heroes, which celebrates International Brigaders who fought in the Spanish Civil War with connections to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Fifteen years ago, I bought a copy of...
New items added to Southampton music archive Stick it in Your Ear
By Phil Tyler of SIIYE. Southampton’s Stick it in Your Ear music archive has added three new items to its online archives. You can read all about Stick it in Your Ear, which started out more than 40 years ago as a small local tape label with accompanying free...