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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 »

At the other end of the age spectrum 72-year-old Glen Campbell is a legend of rock and pop, having made over 70 albums, played for some of the greatest including Presley and Sinatra, had a few monster hits, hosted his own TV show for three years, acted alongside John Wayne in True Grit, had problems with alcohol and drug abuse, been married four times…

Well, the old terrier is at it again with Meet Glen Campbell, a collection of covers including tunes by the likes of Travis, Tom Petty, Foo Fighters, The Replacements, Velvet Underground, John Lennon et al. A superb countryrock sound throughout.

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Nick Alwinckle reviews this year’s Loop Festival in Brighton

From the looks of it, this second year of Brighton’s very own electronic music festival has ironed out the few teething problems from last year’s event. The stages have been opened out, with bigger tents to let more people see the bands and the first event’s evident sound problems have been eliminated. The only thing that could spoil things, then, is the acts involved.

Bristol rockers Turbowolf **, unfortunately, are a less than perfect band for the early afternoon, starting proceedings shakily.

Transformer

Providing big riffs and some punkish energy, their sole qualification as an electronic band is in having a keyboard player providing the odd plinky-plonk flourish, though this is disjointed and wholly separate to the main musical body.

Their songs simply aren’t strong enough to make them last in memory after the set, and things can only get better from here. Brighton boys Transformer ** are next up and have a lot on their shoulders.

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Carol Decker, singer in eighties pop legends T’Pau, plays a charity concert in Eastbourne in September. Nick Aldwinckle spoke to her

80s Live! is a new one day event taking place in Eastbourne’s Winter Garden on Saturday, 13 September.

In aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, the event sees a host of eighties stars, including T’Pau, Katrina of Katrina and the Waves, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Sonia, Stephen Singleton of ABC and Sigue Sigue Sputnik, take to the stage to raise funds and awareness of the chronic muscle disease.

As well as the main performers, there’s an ‘Acoustic Café’ with local acts and a ‘Silent Auction’ with a Fender Telecaster guitar signed by the Arctic Monkeys up for grabs. Latest 7 met T’Pau’s Carol Decker.

So, how’s it going?
I’ve been doing loads of shows. I did an Ascot race meet last week, where I met Frankie Dettori, which was fun. I’ve been recording solo, not that anyone would know!

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