By Sam Wise. Open mic nights have their stars; theoretically the deal is that anyone can turn up and play, but there are certain people who everyone knows have got a bit extra. They always get put in a good slot, they can turn up late and still make...
Music
Interview: Bristol’s Erotic Secrets of Pompeii
By Sam Wise. The Erotic Secrets of Pompeii are an apocalyptic art rock band from Bristol. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry, all will become clear. I spoke to the whole band ahead of their gig at Southampton’s Joiners earlier this week, but much of the...
Review: Jah Wobble, Lighthouse, Poole
By Sam Wise. Whatever you think Jah Wobble is going to do live, he might. He really might, whatever it is. One thing and one thing only you can be sure of, and that’s that it won’t be the only thing he does. At the start of this show,...
Review and pictures: Paloma Faith – Bournemouth International Centre
Words by Lewis Maclean. Pictures by Rhona Murphy. I feel I should state at the outset that I think Paloma Faith is a great live act and the BIC a fantastic venue. I first saw Paloma live at the other stage of Bestival back in 2011 in the afternoon...
Interview: Dea Matrona
By Vicky Greer. Fresh from the release of their self-produced debut album For Your Sins, Dea Matrona are in a back room upstairs at The Joiners, getting ready to play their first headline show in Southampton. Tomorrow will be their first day off in 10 days amidst a hectic...
Interview: Jah Wobble chats ahead of Lighthouse, Poole date
By Sam Wise. Jah Wobble, at least for me, was one of those names that hovers at the periphery of your consciousness without you necessarily being certain why. I remember that in my case, he first came into actual focus in the runup to a Womad festival in the...
Frank Turner: Record Breaking Most Gigs In 24 Hours
Words and pictures by Callum Linklater. Portsmouth 9am, Sunday 5th May – Show 13 of 15 a self admittingly tired Frank Turner takes to the stage donning a shirt reading ‘Whose stupid idea was this anyway?’. “My name is Frank Turner, Welcome to my mid-life crisis. I am losing...
Interview: Willie J Healey on his new album, Apple, and playing at Wanderlust
By Vicky Greer. Willie J Healey is stuck on a bus as he frantically tries to join our Zoom call. He’s battling jet lag from his trip back from New York, and now he’s on his way to debut his new single, ‘The Apple’, with none other than Steve...
7 Must-See Artists at Southampton’s new Wanderlust festival
By Vicky Greer. What’s better than a brand-new festival for 2024? A multi-venue musical festival right on your doorstep, held in three of Southampton’s favourite local grassroots venues, that’s what! Welcome to Wanderlust, the event that’s taking over Southampton on the 4th May with 30 artists taking to stages...
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...