Adolygiadau / Reviews
RED STRIPE, Dublin Packet, Holyhead, Fri March 14th 2008
Red Stripe are a local roots reggae band with anywhere from ten to fourteen members, plus assorted wives, girlfriends and children, which makes for quite a tribe! (Sometimes' editor is the drummer's girlfriend). They accepted the offer of a gig at Holyhead's Dublin Packet pub (see the Dublin Packet My Space) at least partly motivated by the thought of being able to play their song "Big in Holyhead" in Holyhead for the first time!
The gig turned out to be one of Red Stripe's best, with the band playing a great set which took the audience from a gentle warm up with original numbers and Bob Marley covers right through to the livelier final tunes "Sleng Teng and "Pipes of Pan" which had the pub up and dancing. "Big in Holyhead" got its best cheer ever, and a roar of laughter when singer-poet Gwyn asked "Is there anyone here from Holyhead...?" Lead singer Belinda was on fabulous wild woman of reggae form, and her partner Stevie Bear was adding excellent ragga raps into the mix.
All the musicians played well and tightly, and everyone said afterwards that they enjoyed playing in the intimacy of a pub, on the same level as their audience, rather than in a larger venue on a stage.
There are more gigs coming up at the Dublin Packet, check the My Space for listings, and Red Stripe will be playing next at Speaker's Corner in Colwyn Bay.
HENDRE'S BIG PARTY 2, Hendre Hall, Fri Feb 29th 2008
Apologies, Sometimes hasn't done a review for a long time.
I had to review this one, because it was a cracking night out, one of the best I've had for ages! (It probably helped that for once I was drinking and not driving...)
For once, Hendre didn't feel too cold and uncomfortable, maybe they've cranked up the heating since the very cold New Year's Eve do, or maybe I've just learnt to go to Hendre equipped for extreme survival conditions!
I really enjoyed the variety of music and zones at the Big Party, with live bands in the Main Room, fantastic DJs in the Long Barn (Senor Tim's set was great, but my favourite set of the evening was without question OWB1, gotta see that man DJ again!), art and spoken word poetry in the Third Room, very brave acoustic performers freezing their mitts off outdoors under the arches, and impressive video and audio experimentation from Anti Detail Squad in the Cafe (also want to see more of their stuff!).
I was along for the night helping out for the first time with the fantastic Get Dressed Up (well, I was meant to be, but got a bit distracted from my duties during OWB1's set), who were set up in the Balcony Area with a multitude of outfits and costumes for people to dress up in and loan for the evening. It's a really great idea (the brainchild of Cari and Rachel), and makes the evening at Hendre much more silly and entertaining! Always good to see men in dresses, and I'm on the hunt for more wigs for the dressing up boxes!
So, all in all a great night, and I'm looking forward to the next one! Just got to sleep off the hangover now...
**PLEASE FEEL WELCOME TO SEND IN YOUR OWN REVIEWS OF EVENTS TO SOMETIMES (to moominmaiden@yahoo.co.uk), EVEN IF I'VE REVIEWED THEM ALREADY, MORE THAN ONE REVIEW OF THE SAME EVENT WOULD BE GREAT!
