» Music Reviews: Dartz, Travis, Born Ruffians & more
Teeside three-piece Dartz took a temporary sabbatical from music while trying to finish their studies at university, but the lure of making and playing is too strong. Hence, new mini-album The Sad History of the Village of Albnerique, a collection of angular, almost discordant neopop numbers reminiscent of the post-punk era but also incessantly modern. Not so many A-grade winners as on their debut but this is a consistently driven and dynamic work.
Sometimes unfairly maligned, the hugely popular Travis are popular for good reason – they write great songs, full of strong melodies and often with a pleasing melancholic undertow (my aunt had ‘Flowers in the Window’ played at her funeral). Read the rest of this article »
Tim Vine – stand-up comedian, writer, actor, TV presenter, gameshow host, Comic Relief Fame Academy contestant and former world record holder for most jokes in an hour is coming to Brighton. He’s a busy man, and he’s just done a three-week run up at the Edinburgh Festival.
The awards from the lobbying charity commemorate those, gay or straight, who in the past year have had a positive impact on the lives of lesbian and gay people in Britain. Last year’s winners included Dan Gillespie Sells, Val McDermid and Alan Johnson.
