One of the region's most popular music and arts festivals will be back this summer for a fifth year. Latitude Festival organisers have confirmed that this year's event will take place from July 15 until July 18 at Henham Park Estate, near Southwold. Tickets will go on sale on March 9 but as yet no details have been revealed of artists set to appear. Over the last few years Latitude has grown in size and become one of the most hotly anticipated events in the festival diary. Last year's event was heralded as being the best yet and headliners included disco icon Grace Jones and the Pet Shop Boys. Other big names on the line-up included artists such as Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Little Boots and Radiohead's Thom Yorke. The event has become renowned for featuring headline artists along with showcasing up and coming talent and local bands. Recommended in various national publications including Time Out, Latitude has become a favourite with revellers and performers alike. Last year, as well as the main music stages, there were arenas in poetry, literature, comedy, cabaret, film and music. The varied line-up featured fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, comedians Frank Skinner and Jo Brand and former poet laureate Andrew Motion as well as the Royal Shakespeare Company and Sadler's Wells. For more information about this year's event and tickets visit the event page or www.latitudefestival.co.uk
|
|
Category:
Competition
Judging – Live and Unsigned – first round of auditions Arriving at quarter to nine to meet my fellow judges (Marlize a vocal tutor, Emma a choreographer, Steve from Grapevine Magazine and Chris from Live and Unsigned) I wondered just what the day had in store for me. With over 200 bands that had applied – just how many would turn up and what would they be like? In the end we saw 124 acts ranging across the ages and representing many styles of music from folk to death metal, pop to punk – it was all there. It was great to see so many people who obviously love what they do turn up and give it a go. Of course there was the usual array of nerves, flamboyance, natural talent and hopefuls but generally the standard was pretty high. When you are watching so many bands and need to make a decision on them it can be difficult. I am in a band myself but now, from being on the other end, I can say that I have learnt a few things; so here are my tips (if you want them) to make yourself stand out. 1: The song you choose to perform: know it, rehearse it, play it well, be in tune and keep time. This may sound like band 1.0.1 but it really is important. If you’re a singer – don’t forget to warm up – we had a few cracks and warbles. 2: Bring something original. If someone comes along and does a great Nirvana cover – so what? – We could go out and buy a Nirvana album. If you do go for a cover then perform it in a completely different style. 3: Stick within the time or cut it even shorter. I know there wasn’t much time at the weekend for each act but it was really refreshing when a band stuck within their allotted time – it felt like we had seen a whole piece instead of having to cut them off. (Be ready too, the longer you take to set up the more it eats in to your performing time.) 4: Get a look: Now I’m not saying have matching outfits but having a style that gives the band a ‘together’ look really will make you stand out. 5: Engage your audience: Difficult I know when you’re playing to five people in chairs in the middle of a hall and two guys on the sound desk BUT, if you don’t feel it then fake it. Talk to the audience, make eye contact and make them feel they are at a gig. And don’t forget to move – we saw a few cardboard cut outs – judges are looking for someone who can not only sing/play but also put on a performance. But most of all keep trying and take any advice given. I know some of you were disappointed at not making it through but the long and the short of it was this: there were 124 acts – not everyone could go through! Well done to everyone who came along and had a go. I look forward to seeing how those that got through get on in the next round. It would be great to see all of you come along and support them: 10th April, Ipswich Corn Exchange – we’ll post details nearer the time.
|
More than 200 up-and-coming acts have auditioned before the judges of a national competition aiming to find the top unsigned talent in the country.
Solo artists, indie bands, folk singers and heavy rockers were all grabbing their chance to show off their abilities at the Regent Theatre's Circle Lounge.
 Among the acts hoping to impress the judges were Felixstowe rockers Seratoner, who have been together for nearly three years.
With each act getting only about 30 seconds to win over the decision-makers, singer/guitarist Paul Veal, 25, said the band had been rehearsing a lot over the previous few days.
He said: “We play around Felixstowe and Ipswich and have also played in London and Brighton. We've seen a few friendly faces here today but we're confident of getting through.
“We're just going to see what happens - 30 seconds is not a very long time, but it will be interesting. We're going to give it our all.”
Also waiting for their shot were The Mosquito Effect, from Witham and Clacton, who have been playing together for just over a year.
Guitarist Nick Griffin, 24, said the group signed up with the intention of getting as much exposure as possible, more so than actually winning the contest.
He said: “The people that surround these events are the people we need to play to. There's a little bit of an Essex circuit and we bump into some bands from time to time but there are so many people doing it (playing live).”
This is the third year of Live and Unsigned, the country's biggest search for undiscovered and original talent, and the Evening Star's Jenny Lock was among the judging panel for the Ipswich auditions - part of a nationwide tour.
All the successful performers will proceed to the next round and perform in front of a panel of industry experts at some of the UK's most prestigious venues.
Then the chosen few will go on to the grand final to share the stage with some of the country's finest talent at the Live and Unsigned Festival 2010.
Dave Payne, who has been running the auditions, said the standard had been very high.
He said: “I have to give the 'yes' or 'no' out after the auditions. The people of Ipswich have been very nice - we normally get a few divas, but people have been very friendly.
“On the whole, the recession is making people do some good music.” See more pictures here
|
They were dancing in the aisles when a west Suffolk school rocked for charity. 
Pupils Angus Mackintosh and Amy Milner perform at Culford School Culford School pupils in Bury St Edmunds held their annual event on Sunday which raised £1,000 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. The three-hour spectacular in front of an audience of more than 200 featured 30 different acts as pupils joined staff to perform dance, acoustic and rock music. A rendition of the Proclaimers’ hit, 500 Miles, was a fitting finale for a successful event organised by the school’s sixth and fifth-form pupils. "This was an event for the pupils by the pupils, and we are delighted to have raised some money for such a worthwhile cause," said Flo Taylor, who helped organise it. performances: Pupils Amy Milner, right, and Angus Mackintosh, left, perform at Culford School
|
IPSWICH: Legendary beat-maker DJ Format will playing in the town for the first time this Saturday (Feb 13). The scratch DJ will be appearing at the Swan, in King Street, alongside his friend and the pub’s resident DJ Ben Marr as part of Rhythm Happening. “I used to live in Brighton and DJ-ed there quite a bit. He lived there at the time and I knew him from beat-digging and we hooked up to trade records. I’ve always wanted to get him here,” said the 34-year-old who has been staging semi-regular DJ nights at the venue for nearly two years. Format – aka Southampton-born Matt Ford – is one of the hottest hip hop tickets on the circuit thanks to his unique blend of hip hop, funk, jazz and alternative music. He has appeared at Reading and Leeds Festival as well as touring the whole of Europe, North America and Australia and London’s famous fabric club. He’s also worked with hip hop groups such as Jurassic 5 and released several solo albums. “This isn’t really pop or stuff you hear in the charts,” said Ben, who’ll start the ball rolling from 8pm. “It’s underground to a point but accessible. He plays things that may be from Turkey or Brazil, everything from hip hop to perhaps prog rock. “It’s taking things that shouldn’t be together and putting them together, which is one of the things of being a DJ – mixing the selection.” Entry to the event, from 8pm to 1am, costs £5 and tickets are available from the pub and Blacksheep shop. “If you’re open-minded, like good music, in to hip hop or even if you’re not and don’t know that much about it, it’ll be worth checking out, there’ll be some ear expanding sounds,” added Ben.
|
Rock band Steel Pictures performed to a sell-out crowd at Chamberlin Village Hall, raising over £400 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Local rock band Steel Pictures who performed to a sell out crowd at Chamberlin Village Hall, Bildeston, raising over £400 for EACH - East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. Special guests Hadleigh High School Vocal Squad, made up of 60 singers, performed a selection of songs arranged and conducted by music teacher Michelle Randé. Steel Pictures – who are Luke English on lead vocals, Harry Challis on drums, lead guitarist Andrew Kitchener, Nic Keeble on rhythm guitar and vocals, and bass guitarist Michael Whittle – took to the stage to perform a selection of rock covers and songs written by the band. The band, who are year 11 students at Hadleigh High, wanted to raise money for a local charity and decided upon EACH, which supports families throughout their experience of caring for children with life-threatening conditions and complex healthcare needs. Steel Pictures paid thanks to those who purchased tickets, people who assisted with the organising of the concert and Dave Keeble and Michelle Randé for their support.
|
A popular band who entertained thousands of people at this year’s V Festival are planning a number of gigs to help those in earthquake struck Haiti. Ipswich-based Underline the Sky are hoping to tour around a number of schools to raise funds for the disaster hit island. Their first gig will be at Leiston High School on Monday 8th Feb but they are hoping even more will get in touch. Guitarist Dan Oaten said: “We were talking about how devastating the situation in Haiti is and what it must be like to have your life shattered like that. “The idea just grew from that really. Here we were with a talent and love to entertain people and we tried to think how we could raise funds using this medium. “The problem a lot of high school children have is that they love music and bands, but they are too young to go to the venues we and other bands perform at or cannot afford the larger organised festivals.” The five-strong power punk band are now hoping that a number of schools in the area get in touch so they can raise as much money as possible. Any schools interested in having Underline the Sky perform can contact Diana Bryce on 01473 652249.
|
Fresh from his acclaimed return to television after more than a decade, comedian Stewart Lee is doing what he loves best – live stand-up. He’s been performing live since he was 20, co-created the BBC series Fist of Fun and This Morning With Richard Not Judy alongside former comedy partner Richard Herring as well as writing and directing acts such as the Mighty Boosh and Jerry Springer: The Opera. More recently he has won praise for the hit BBC2 show Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. Now he is bringing his latest live show – If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One – to Ipswich’s New Wolsey tonight (3rd Feb) and moves on to Chelmsford’s Civic Theatre, tomorrow. He is pleased with how it has gradually come together since he wrote it in a tiny room at Edinburgh’s Stand comedy club. “The show is three long half-hour routines that eventually coalesce into a despairing view of the world,” he laughs, despite being 150 dates in. “It has sort of gone through a kind of wall where I’ve found all sorts of way by necessity, I think, to improvise and change things and keep it alive. Also there are two or three bits that are very difficult to do and I never quite know if they’re going to work, so it is exciting every night. I think I’ve probably started to write those kinds of shows precisely because you need that element of danger to keep it spontaneous.” That includes throwing a song in the mix for the first time. Tonight’s show starts at 7.45pm. Tickets, priced £8.50 to £19.50 are available by calling the box office on 01473 295900.
|
Brimming with excitement, hundreds of music fans queued around the block in the bitter February cold to get the chance to see pop sensations JLS live.
The band, who shot to fame as the runners-up of 2008's X-Factor, performed in front of a sell-out crowd at The Regent Theatre in Ipswich last night.
Groups of teenagers wearing JLS jumpers and T-shirts, some waving homemade banners and posters, waited, screaming with huge smiles on their faces for the theatre's doors to open.
For some the wait had lasted the whole afternoon, with dozens of fans turning up at noon to try to catch a glimpse of the band as they arrived. 
Becky Manning, 22, of Claydon said she was overcome with “14-year-old like excitement”.
Wearing their 'I love JLS' T-shirts, she and her friends said they had been “massive fans” of the group since their first X-Factor audition.
And younger fans, Tiana Bailey, ten, and Rochelle Scoulding, nine, from Ipswich, who were there with their mothers, said they had been “waiting forever” to get their chance to see the band live.
Rochelle said: “I am really, really excited. I have been waiting forever - for months and months. We are their biggest fans, Aston is so cute.
“I wish I was in my 20s then I could marry them.”
Another fan, Natalie Osborne, 18, travelled from college in Cambridge with her friends to get to the gig on time.
She said: “I am seriously excited. I could not sleep last night, I was so excited.”
Braving the cold, those lucky enough to have secured a ticket waited in line for hours, in a long queue snaking around the Odeon cinema and up Woodbridge Road.
Meanwhile, fans Emily Hall and Emma Hinds enjoyed a pre-gig treat when they bumped into the band on the Waterfront.
JLS had been eating lunch at the Salt House Harbour Hotel when the lads agreed to pose for a picture.
Did you see JLS in action? How did you rate their performance? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
JLS FastFacts: - JLS stands for Jack the Lad, Swing
- The group is made up of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan “JB” Gill, and Oritsé Williams.
- They rose to fame during the 2008 X-Factor talent show, mentored by Louis Walsh and voted runners-up to Alexandra Burke.
- The group are nominated at this year's Brit Awards for Best Single for 'Beat Again', their debut single which went straight to number one in July last year.
- Their second single 'Everybody in Love' followed the success of their first reaching number one in November 2009, selling more than 120,000 copies in the first week.
More links:
|
IPSWICH: Is anybody in love? Well everybody in the audience of the packed Ipswich Regent certainly was last night, when JLS, the X Factor Finalists turned pop sensations, stormed into town.
With their trademark colours of blue (Aston), red (Oritse), green (Marvin) and yellow (JB), these four London lads lit up an otherwise glum February evening.
Considering it was the first night of the tour and there surely must have been some pre-show nerves, JLS were all outstanding and it will take some stamina to maintain that level of enthusiasm for the rest of their sell-out tour.
It's rare to find a boy band where all four members can actually sing and dance fantastically well, and that's what sets JLS apart.
The Michael Jackson medley enabled them to take a song each, make it their own and wow the predominately pre-teen audience.
Effortlessly charming the audience with their patter and good looks (particularly when Marvin and Aston kept revealing carefully honed torsos), Ipswich went wild for hits such as 'Beat Again' and the new single 'One Shot'.
Aston's back-flips were something to behold, and the harmonising of their a cappella version of the East 17 classic 'If I Ever' was note perfect.
JLS are here to stay, and with the announcement this week of a planned arena tour at the end of the year, two Brit award nominations and American record companies battling to sign them up stateside, it's easy to see why.
EMMA NOYE
|
|
|
