Picture by Cibele
My photographs from Waterfront can be found on my Facebook page.
I had already said that I didn't want to review this year's Waterfront Festival because of how much of an endurance it was last year when I was writing about it for the Nottingham Post, weirdly enough I went through some blogs from this time last year and remembered that I was in the middle of a slight feud with Kim from I'm Not From London which started when I wrote the press release explaining why I quit doing the American radio show. We have kissed and made up since then (not literally but don't think I wouldn't) so I was at the festival as one of the nice guys for a change. As Gary wasn't going to come with me I was going on my own so offered my services at the last minute to NG Digital to do a bit of interviewing and commentary.
Despite my protests last year about the amount of acoustic singers on the outdoor stage, I spent most of the day there as it was such a nice day. The line up was slightly different this year with Ellie Keegan showing why she should have won the Future Sound of Nottingham popularity contest, and some brilliant sets from Jamie Moon, Daudi Matsiko and a solo set from Ryan Farmer. I popped inside to see Luxury Stranger, a busy band but one that somehow doesn't get a great deal of attention in Nottingham which is of course why I like them so much as they aren't a part of the scene. What they are is a band that should be much bigger and one that I recommend seeing when you see them advertised. As the night wore on the outdoor stage was more about bands with Keto appearing and a storming headline appearence from 94 Gunships.
Something I was keen to do for NG Digital was interview Jay and Ciaran from The Breakfast Club on the eve of what was sadly their last performance under that name. They played the first of my gigs at The Maze as a full band and I think this is the last 'proper' time they played together. What happened between the band members differs depending on who you ask so maybe the truth is a combination of comments or something different altogether. All I know is that the band meant a great deal to Jay and he openly admitted to being heartbroken at the way things have turned out. I introduced them onto the stage and watched an emotional final performance, it would have been nice if the whole band had made it along for one final show but shit happens. After what I wrote about them at the beginning of the year I was looking forward to seeing them grow but now they have joined the 'almost' pile of Nottingham bands who should have broken out.
The Sunday Alternative #52 is available from here.
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August housekeeping
We are now in the eighth month of the year and at a standstill as far as work is concerned. In unrelated news, it is my birthday on the 27th of this month so a nice present would be a donation using the PayPal button. This would be spent on creating podcasts, documentaries, short films, comedy sketches and various other entertainments that I will make available to enjoy online for free.
The above t-shirt and bag is also available to buy, all the money goes to the same creative fund. They are on my shop page.
I'll play you a kazoo song request, find out how here.
Letter of complaint written for you for £2, here.
steveEoliver@gmail.com
