theviewfromahill

The Double Negative

2011-11-18T02:39:00.000-08:00

For those of you who visit this blog regularly, or even once in a blue moon, I thank you right from the bottom of my heart. I've enjoyed it, but as some of you will have seen on twitter or facebook, I have now consigned it to a period of indefinite hiatus.

Fear not those of you who are gluttons for the punishment of my cultural meanderings, as ever so soon, said meanderings will make their way to a new home of www.thedoublenegative.co.uk , and can already be found at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=892725636#!/pages/The-Double-Negative/125683880858059 . Feel free too, to follow on twitter: @TheDbleNgtve / @doublenegativeM

It will still be sat here, like an unwanted pet, housing as it does a smattering of my writing for Seven Streets, Creative Times and The Biennial - all worth checking out.

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 31/10/2011

2011-10-31T06:31:00.000-07:00

Mon 31/10

ROMEO ECHO DELTA @ FACT / via Radio Merseyside, 10pm - 11pm
In 1938, then enfant terrible Orson Welles broadcast H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds in the style of a news bulletin, and drove a nation to panic, believing they were listening to a genuine piece of reportage. 50 or so years on, the Abandon Normal Devices festival follows in that fine tradition of hoax radio with their transmission on Radio Merseyside of Romeo Echo Delta. An experiment in peoples' suspension of disbelief, and our fascination with the red planet, it also aims to exploit the reliance of modern day rolling news on so-called 'citizen journalism'.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/romeo-echo-delta?listing_id=2377

British Sea Power @ The Masque, £12.50 Doors 7pm
Famed for their live performances, Brighton-based six-piece British Sea Power offer up their brand of soaring indie in the dingy confines of The Masque venue. Their fifth studio record, Valhalla Dancehall was released earlier this year to largely rave reviews, aiming to bridge the gap between the bands' quirky sensibilities and their oft-threatened cross-over potential.
http://www.masque-liverpool.com/event.cfm?eventid=693

Thurs 03/11

The Ladykillers @ Liverpool Playhouse
A stella cast has been assembled for a new adaptation of classic Ealing comedy The Ladykillers. Written by Graham Linehan (Father Ted, Black Books) and starring Peter Capaldi in the role of the scheming Professor Marcus (played by Alec Guiness, and latterly Tom Hanks, in the movie versions), The Ladykillers tells the tale of how the best laid plans can go awry. Whether this production can live up to its billing remains to be seen, but really, how can it go wrong?http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/The_Ladykillers/577.aspx

Fri 04/11

Alice in Wonderland @ Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool's new exhibition aims to examine how Lewis Carroll's timeless stories have influenced visual artists over the years. Featuring works by Dali and Magritte alongside contemporary artists such as Anna Gaskell and Annelies Strba, it promises to satisfy those looking for the surreal and 'real'.
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/aliceinwonderland/default.shtm

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 24/10/2011

2011-10-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

Mon 24/10

Tom Waits - Bad as Me
62 later this year, that Tom Waits is now approaching the age you suspected he always was must be an odd one for his fans, and indeed, the man himself. That his 17th studio recording arguably stands up to anything he has released previously, shows he's still doing his version of bar-room blues justice. Always a fascinating character, in both look and output, nobody would've wanted or expected him to grow old gracefully.
http://www.badasme.com/

Tue 25/10

She Keeps Bees @ The Shipping Forecast, Doors 7:30, £6.50
Brooklyn duo Jessica Larrabee and Andy La Plant hit Liverpool this week, touring their superb third long player, Dig On. Variously likened to The Kills, Patti Smith and PJ Harvey, it is to their credit that they don't slavishly fall into line with the comparisons; their own brand of scuzz-blues should go down a treat in the intimate surrounds of The Shipping Forecast's hold.
http://shekeepsbees.com/album/dig-on

Thur 27/10

Glitch Karaoke and Ross Sutherland @ Elevator, 7:30pm
This makes the culture diary by virtue of sheer intrigue! Billed as an 'evening of lo-fi, cut up and new technologies', it purports to connect karaoke sessions between Liverpool and London, and features a film commission from Aisle 16's Ross Sutherland. Curiosity may have killed the proverbial cat, but on this occasion, it's got the better of us!
http://mercyonline.co.uk/who-we-are/what-we-are-up-to/article/ross-sutherland-and-gltich

Sat 29/10

Evil Dead Triple Bill @ FACT, 10:45 -
Hallowe'en is almost upon us, and by way of an early horrific treat, if that's the word, FACT are delivering a gore-fest of a night, showing the movies that put the nasty into video-nasty. What the daily mail and tory government failed to tell us at the time was, that along with blood and guts by the bucket-load, this is more than matched by lashings of goof-ball humour. We can take it, what about you?
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/evil-dead-triple-bill?listing_id=2269

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 17/10/2011

2011-10-15T07:19:00.000-07:00

Mon 17/10

Cave of Forgotten Dreams - DVD/Blu-Ray
Werner Herzog's has and continues to be a rich and varied career and Monday sees the DVD/Blu-Ray release of his latest documentary, Cave Of Forgotten Dreams. Focussing on human kind's oldest known artistic creations, found in the Chauvet caves of Southern France, Herzog grants us a fascinating insight into our past. Expect to be entertained and astonished.
http://www.caveofforgottendreams.co.uk/

Tue 18/10

Adam Buxton Presents BUG: The Evolution of Music Video, 6:30/8:45 @ FACT
What a treat this promises to be! For those familiar with Adam Buxton's meanderings, most recently on his radio show on BBC6 Music, co-hosted with Joe Cornish, you'll likely have more than an inkling of what to expect, and will already be giddy with excitement. Presenting a selection of his favourite music videos drawn from the BUG shows at BFI over the last year, Buxton brings a heady mixture of smart analysis and childish (read hilarious) commentary. Pick of the week.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/adam-buxton-presents-bug-the-evolution-of-music-video?listing_id=2270

Thur 20/10

The Swallowing Dark @ Playhouse Studio
Following previous hits Intemperance and Unprotected, Lizzie Nunnery brings us a psychological thriller dealing with Canaan, a man, who along with his son, has fled the horrors of Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe. But when they meet Martha, are their troubles only just beginning?
http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/The_Swallowing_Dark/583.aspx

Fri 21/10

Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat @ The Kazimier, £10, Doors 8PM
When beards collide! Former Arab Strap man Aidan Moffat and fellow Scot, Wells, come together to perform tracks from their album, released earlier this year, Everything's Getting Older. At turns tender and caustic (you'd expect nothing less from Moffat, in particular), the album has been eight years in the making - you can judge for yourself whether it's been worth the wait this Friday night.
http://www.thekazimier.co.uk/event.php?id=33

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 10/10/2011

2011-10-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

Mon 10/10

Senna - DVD/Blu-Ray
Ayrton Senna's death at the San Marino grand prix in 1994 was and remains one of the great tragedies of motor racing in the modern era. The tag-line to this timely documentary reads 'No Fear. No Limits. No Equal.' and rarely can anyone have lived up so fulsomely to the hype; more than a decade on and Senna is still widely recognised as the greatest there ever was. Not an easy watch (the trailer for this film had the hairs on my arms standing up and my eyes getting mysteriously dewy), this film does the man and the racer's memory justice.
http://www.sennamovie.co.uk/

Rene Magritte: The Pleasure Principle @ Tate Liverpool
One of the most popular artists of the 20th Century, Magritte's vision of surrealism has had a huge impact across all forms of popular culture. With The Pleasure Principle, Tate Liverpool plays host to the biggest exhibition of his work in the UK in the last 20 years.
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/renemagritte/default.shtm

Wed 12/10

REMAKE REMODEL @ Magnet, 11pm - 3am
It's been a long time in the coming, but Hardman Street's Magnet Bar re-opened at the very end of September, bringing on waves of fuzzy nostalgia for those of a certain, ahem, vintage. With that in mind, will it be a case of it resting on its laurels? On the evidence of last week's first REMAKE REMODEL, the answer is a resounding NO! Trading on the attractive appeal of mid-week rock 'n' roll and a measly £4 on the door with various drinks offers, the place should prove a pull for punters old and new alike.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002799707832&ref=ts#!/profile.php?id=100002799707832

Fri 14/10

Amelie, 10th Anniversary Release
A decade on from its release, Amelie is still an affecting piece of whimsy, as we follow the travails of a shy young girl intent on improving the lives of those around her, often at the expense of her own happiness. Starring Audrey Tautou and directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, the film was out of kilter with a lot of cultural production of the time, eschewing as it did the millenial tension of the era: sheer on-screen celebration.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj0CK_jgNns

AND Festival

2011-10-02T04:43:00.000-07:00

What with my commitments to Creative Times at the mo', the Culture Diary is having a bit of a break this week. Watch out for tweets from @doublenegativeM and @viewfromahill_M for all the weeks goings on.

In the meantime, why not have a look at my blog posts on the above and check out the festival while you still can!

Here's the latest: http://www.creativetimes.co.uk/news/commercial-breakdown--2 you can find the whole set in the 'other writing' section on here though.

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 26/09/2011

2011-09-25T06:11:00.000-07:00

Mon 26/09

Nirvana - Nevermind 20th Anniversary Edition
In an era when Sonic Youth (Goo, 1990), Dinosaur Jr. (Green Mind, 1991) and Pavement (Slanted and Enchanted, 1992) where arguably making more interesting (read better) records, it would be churlish verging on the insane to ignore that Kurt Cobain and his band captured the zeitgeist; his tragic death just three years later confirming Nirvana's status as an epoch-defining force. Tomorrow sees the release of Nevermind 20 years on, and in various formats, boasting rarities and live footage of the band. Does it still stand up? You tell us.

Thurs 29/09

AND Festival, various venues across the region
The festival of new cinema and digital culture returns for a third year in venues across Liverpool, Manchester and Preston. Boasting a range of challenging offerings, we're willing to bet one of the highlights is certain to be Atalonia, an ambitious, experiential theatre tour (it says here). Working on ideas around a newly discovered world within the Earth, The Kazimier's Venya Krutikov described it to us as "a fantastical guided tour through uncharted territory" - sounds great!
http://andfestival.org.uk/event/kazimier-present-atalonia

Clerks, 20:50 @ FACT
It seems a week doesn't go by lately that something showing at FACT doesn't feature on this blog. It's always merited though, and this week is no different. Kevin Smith's debut (and slacker classic) Clerks is given an outing this Thursday, before the release of what he's calling his final movie, Red State (reportedly his best, probably since Clerks). Reputedly shot for $27,000, and introducing an unsuspecting world to Jay & Silent Bob, we strongly recommend you take another look at this hilarity on a shoe-string piece.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/clerks

Fri 30/09

Melancholia
Though director Lars von Trier was sensationally made 'persona non grata' at Cannes earlier this year for his misjudged stab at, shall we say, Hitler humour, his film still earned rave reviews at the festival, and won lead Kirsten Dunst the best actress gong. Set against a backdrop of impending apocalypse, Melancholia features a strong cast, including a return for Charlotte Gainsbourg (glutten for punishment?), playing sister to Dunst's bride, Justine. Whatever your thoughts of von Trier, you can't accuse him, or his output of being boring.
http://www.melancholiathemovie.com/#_trailer

Dirtblonde @ Static, £2. Doors 9pm
With an EP launch just around the corner, you can catch the band this Friday for a bargainous £2, with support provided by Esa Shields and Rachele Whatever. Compared to The Jesus And Mary Chain by Alan McGee they definitely have a propensity toward shoe-gaze, while live, they aren't unlike The Kills. Either way, if you want some rock 'n' roll thrills on the cheap this Friday - and who doesn't - you can't go too far wrong by heading to Static on Roscoe Lane.
http://dirtblonde.co.uk/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 19/09/2011

2011-09-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Mon 19/09

The Big Lebowski, 6:30 @ FACT
Looking for something that'll really tie your Monday evening together? Look no farther, for FACT (in Conjunction with Waxxx magazine) are showing the Coen brothers' 90's slacker-classic The Big Lebowski. Based (very) loosely on Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep, TBL boasts a fine ensemble cast (featuring Steve Buscemi, John Goodman and Julianne Moore), with Jeff Bridges stealing the show as The Dude. If you've never seen it, I urge you to check it out at the earliest opportunity - tonight then? You may see us there, just make mine a white russian...
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/waxxx-film-nights-the-big-lebowski

Thurs 22/09

No Woman No Cry, PV, 6pm-8pm @ The royal Standard
Artist collective, Inner City Mainline present No Woman No Cry (named after a piece in the show rather than the song) at artist led studios and gallery, The Royal Standard. The group, drawn from London and Bristol, visit cities and produce artworks (and a publication) in response to their new environment. At the end of their stay in Liverpool, they will add the Liverpool edition of their publication to the exhibition, so watch this space!
http://intercitymainline.co.uk/

Fri 23/09

Page 1: A Year Inside The New York Times
Amid the maelstrom of 'hackgate', it's perhaps easy to forget the ongoing difficulties faced by print media in a quickly changing world. This film, premiered this year at the Sundance Film Festival, chronicles the industry's transformation. Boasting unprecedented access to The NY Times newsroom, film maker Andrew Rossi charts print-media's and in-particular, The Times' response to this ever-changing and increasingly unsteady landscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AB16Ru6JBc

Slow Club, 8pm @ The Kazimier, £10
Described in some quarters as the UK's answer to The White Stripes, Sheffield's Slow Club (who, like the Detroit rockers, happen to be a boy/girl duo), boast a little more subtlety and offer a melodious line in harmonies with a greater shared vocal responsibility. That isn't to say they don't rock either, and if they're a new name on you, why not give yourself something to look forward to this week and book your tickets for a Friday at The Kazimier, where they'll be ably supported by Liverpool based Stealing Sheep and Dead Cities.
http://www.thekazimier.co.uk/event.php?id=39

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 12/09/2011

2011-09-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Mon 12/09

Ladytron - Gravity the Seducer
Ladytron, while never fully given the press attention their output deserves, have remained immune to compromise. Producing one polished record after the next, Gravity the Seducer (their 5th studio album) proves they are far from spent. Featuring the superb Ace of Hz (see link below) the quartet are more than capable of producing beyond one decade's worth of polished synth-powered soundscapes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84_3CCqvljA

Star Wars: The Complete Saga DVD/Blu-Ray
One box-set too far? George Lucas is something of a punch bag these days (some would argue, fairly), but you still can't take away from that superb first Star Wars trilogy. This latest in a line of re-mastered releases has a formidable array of special features and extras which should keep even the most rabid 'Wars fan happy.
http://www.starwars.com/themovies/saga/preorder_bluray/index.html

Tues 13/09

The Last Picture Show @ FACT
Regarded as an indisputable classic, Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 opus pays homage to Hollywood's golden age of cinema. Starring a young Jeff Bridges and Cybil Shepherd (making her movie debut), it has all the hall marks of a great rites of passage story. Nice to see FACT continuing to do right by Cinema and punters alike.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/classic-tuesday---the-last-picture-show

Fri 16/09

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
Will Let The Right One In director Tomas Alfredson provide the requisite chill factor to le Carre's ultimate cold war thriller in this big screen update? Certainly, if the cast is anything to go by, it should be an absolute treat. In what reads as a veritable who's who of British screen talent, Gary Oldman takes on the role Alec Guinness made his own in the BBC's masterful 80's adaptation, as George Smiley, jaded espionage veteran of 'The Circus'. Early reports suggest a slow-burn thriller, pitched perfectly to thrill modern audiences, while satisfying the biggest fans of the classic TV version.
http://www.tinker-tailor-soldier-spy.com/main/paralax.htm#project

Marley Chingus Jazz Explosion @ The Caledonia
Surely sporting one of the greatest names in the world of experimental jazz, Marley Chingus Jazz Explosion grace The Caledonia every other Friday. Not a city over-endowed with opportunities to see live jazz of this standard (check their myspace), we count ourselves lucky this regular gig is right on our doorstep.
http://www.myspace.com/marleychingus

Liverpool 2011: Art in Revolution?

2011-09-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

An afternoon of discussion featuring The Royal Standard and the Curator of the Liverpool 1911: Art in Revolution exhibition, chaired by Artistic Director of The Bluecoat, Bryan Biggs.

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/walker/exhibitions/art-in-revolution/

http://www.the-royal-standard.com/studioartists/#25

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 05/09/2011

2011-09-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

Tues 06/09

Wooden Shjips @ The Kazimier, 8PM, £10
San Fran quartet Wooden Shjips visit their unique brand of psyche-rock/garage excesses on The Kazimier this week, a venue suiting their style perfectly. Ably supported by their countrymen The Fresh & Onlys and Liverpool based survivors Mugstar, this gig seems a steal at a tenner - get down there pronto.
http://www.myspace.com/woodenshjips

Carla Scott Fullerton// Cut-Fill-Skim @ The Royal Standard
Part of the appeal of Vauxhall's Royal Standard artist led studios and gallery is the willingness of its directors to open the doors up for a residency programme. This latest has seen Glasgow School of Art graduate Carla Scott Fullerton spend a month in Liverpool working toward showing the results in the exhibition space in TRS. Working with industrial materials, Fullerton's creative process is informed by architectural semiotics, and our relationship with the built environment.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103011379803974#!/event.php?eid=214136711973110
http://www.gsamfa.com/2008/carla_scott_fullerton.php

Thurs 08/09

Emily & The Faves @ Que Pasa, £3
Surely still feeling the residual glow of the warmest of receptions for the debut album released in June, catch Emily & The Faves near the start of a number of dates for September in the surrounds of Que Pasa on Lark Lane. Combining a great pop sensibility with a dreamy psyche feel to the well-crafted, catchy songs, here is a band fully deserving of their growing status in and beyond Liverpool.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=103011379803974#!/emilyandthefaves?sk=app_178091127385

Fri 09/09

Troll Hunter
Mimicking the viral campaign and feel of The Blair Witch Project, Troll Hunter blusters onto cinema screens later this week with nothing but rave reviews ushering it in. Drawing heavily on the centuries old myth and legend of his homeland, Norwegian director Andre Ovredal has created a monster flick capable of garnering both critical and popular acclaim. The action follows a group of students embarking on an expose of bear hunting for a college assignment, but as the title suggests, their investigations uncover something quite different. Have a gander at the trailer below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLEo7H9tqSM

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 29/08/2011

2011-08-29T04:19:00.000-07:00

Mon 29/08

Hanna - DVD & Blu-Ray
Directed by Joe Wright (of Atonement fame), Hanna tells the tale of a 16 year old girl, raised by her father to be the perfect assassin (for reasons which become clear). Garnering mixed reviews on its cinema release, it is nevertheless a superior thriller, boasting a strong ensemble cast featuring Saoirse Ronan as Hanna, Eric Bana as her father and Cate Blanchett as the corrupt CIA agent Hanna must eliminate, this movie offers thrills and spills alongside beautiful scenery.
http://www.hannathemovie.com/

Oh Land - White Nights
I must confess the chanteuse was entirely new to me as of the end of last week. Oh Land came to my attention for all the wrong reasons, 'earning' worst album of the month in Vice magazine. I felt duty-bound to check her out, point and laugh. Instead, I got served this charming piece of Scandi-pop, not incredibly unlike Bat For Lashes sans the ridiculous head gear and penchant for taking oneself a little too seriously. It's a winner, folks - check out the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LcL7MAqwOc

Wed 31/08

Best Coast @ Mojo, £10
With Reading/Leeds disappearing over the horizon and festival season along with it, we can all get back to focussing on some great tours up and down the UK. This Wednesday sees an early treat in the form of California fuzz-pop trio, Best Coast, providing the perfect soundtrack to the end of the summer.
http://www.facebook.com/rockandrollaintnoisepollution?sk=events#!/event.php?eid=218021514898335

White Denim @ O2 Academy, £8
If your tastes run to something altogether more rootsy, you're in luck, for Texan four-piece White Denim also happen to be in town this week. Their latest record, D, was released earlier this year to much critical acclaim. Catch them while they're hot, we reckon.
http://www.myspace.com/whitedenimmusic

Fri 02/09

Kill List
Part post Iraq fall-out, part UK Gangster/Pagan horror-movie mash up, this high concept Brit-shocker seems to have been made in-part simply to vex the likes of me, trying my ass off to provide a little insight without giving the whole damn thing away. Directed by Ben Wheatley (Down Terrace), Kill List is certainly causing a stir. Check out the official trailer below, it opens later this week.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqkqF--v1tg

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 22/08/2011

2011-08-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

Mon 22/08

Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks - Mirror Traffic
More superior, stilted, americana from slacker icon and Pavement alumni Malkmus. Ably supported by his Jicks (minus Janet Weiss, off forming her own super-group, Wild Flag), this is his 5th post -Pavement record, and arguably the best. More a continuum than revolution (or even evolution), Mirror Traffic (produced by Beck) is proof, if it were needed, that there's life after the 90's best band, if you want it.
http://www.npr.org/2011/08/14/138957392/first-listen-stephen-malkmus-and-the-jicks-mirror-traffic

Thurs 25/08

The Thespians @ The Shipping Forecast, 19:30, £4
Spiky post punky-pop from the Liverpool-based band whose debut album The Crash was released earlier this year. Featured recently in Bido Lito! magazine, The Thesps enjoy a growing reputation in certain quarters, and for £4 and with support, they're worth a look if you're at a loose end this Thursday.
http://www.theshippingforecastliverpool.com/2011/07/bido-lito-harvest-sun-presents-4/

Fri 26/08

The Skin I Live In
Set in a possible near future, Pedro Almodovar's eagerly awaited latest tells the story of a maverick plastic surgeon, working on a 'skin' that cannot burn. The twist is that he has a guinea pig, in the form of the beautiful Vera (played by Elena Anaya), held against her will. It stars Antonio Banderas, back working with Almodovar for the first time in years, and is described by the director as "a horror story without screams or frights."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcEdhBx6U9c

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 15/08/2011

2011-08-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

Mon 15/08

CSS (feat. Bobby Gillespie) - Hits Me Like a Rock
Dismissed by many as being no more than a bunch of art & design school kids flirting with the world of pop, few would have predicted seeing them making any kind of a return amid rumours of inner-turmoil and acrimony. It's good to have them back though, with a song perfect for BG's lazy vocal and the summertime.
http://soundcloud.com/dillonfrancis/css-hits-me-like-a-rock-dillon

Thurs 18/08

RM Hubbert @ Bold Street Coffee
Fresh from a support slot on Mogwai's recent European tour, the Scotsman lands in Liverpool this Friday to perform his acoustic guitar 'sketches' in a free gig. Expect an affecting and intimate performance from the idiosyncratic (in a good way) craftsman.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dproRUbyvh4&NR=1

Fri 19/08

Cowboys & Aliens
It's a B-movie, but not as we know it. Director Jon Favreau is carving out something of a niche for himself in Hollywood, with movies that on the face of it are all kinds of wrong, or at the very least could end up that way (but rarely do). I'm thinking in particular Elf, the Iron Man franchise and now this. Telling the story of an alien craft invading Earth in the late 19th Century, this has summer pop-corn movie hi-jinx written all over it.
http://www.cowboysandaliensmovie.com/

After The Deluge - Fran Disley...

2011-08-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, due to uncertainty over the safety of our streets after dark, the above has had to be rescheduled. Follow the link for info folks: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=892725636#!/event.php?eid=197555953632051&notif_t=event_update

Culture Diary Week Commencing 08/08/2011

2011-08-08T08:23:00.000-07:00

Mon 08/08

Source Code DVD/Blu-Ray
Duncan Jones follows up the superb debut Moon, with a futuristic thriller harboring definite Philip K Dick overtones. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a man on a mission to prevent a terrorist atrocity; but, satisfyingly, it's not quite as simple as all that as Jones employs mindbending themes of Sci-fi existentialism with great results.

Thur 11/08

After The Deluge, Frances Disley @ The Royal Standard
RCA graduate and brand spanking new director of The Royal Standard, Frances Disley presents a new exhibition of works opening with a private view this Thursday. Exploring themes of the oft-difficult transition from childhood to adulthood, Disley draws in pencil on ceramic casts and cotton fabrics, conveying the essence of the most universal of subjects: the trauma of adolescence!
www.francesdisley.com

Fri 12/08

Super Best Friends Closing Party @ Wolstenholme Creative Space, 8PM, £3
To cap a week-long exhibition of film and art from Liverpool-based art and performance collective, Super Best Friends, a closing party featuring Trouble Books, In Atoms and Michael Egan is just the thing to give your weekend the kick-start it needs. Formed in 2003 with the simple mission to combine art and party, we reckon we've every right to expect great things!
http://www.artinliverpool.com/?p=25885

The Double Negative: Art, Design, Music, Writing.

2011-08-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Double Negative is a new arts, design, music and writing website, launching late 2011. It will cover events in the Liverpool City Region, featuring a strong element of comment and critique, and acting as a platform for undiscovered and emerging talent.

Follow developments and progress at the following:

TWITTER
https://twitter.com/#!/doublenegativeM
https://twitter.com/#!/doublenegativeL

FACEBOOK
http://www.facebook.com/update_security_info.php?wizard=1#!/pages/The-Double-Negative/125683880858059?sk=wall

All enquiries regarding contributions and anything else:

Music and Writing editor - mike.thedoublenegative@gmail.com
Arts and Design editor - laura.thedoublenegative@gmail.com

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 01/08/2011

2011-07-31T06:29:00.000-07:00

Mon 01/08

Spiral, series 1-3, DVD/Blu-Ray
Viscera, pathos, police corruption and complicated sex: these are the cornerstones of French cop drama, Spiral. More entertainment and less po-faced than The Wire, Spiral ticks all the boxes a satisfying euro-thriller should. The best part is, if you haven't seen any of it yet, you can OD on 3 series' worth. One more thing, did I mention how good looking most of the cast are?

Fountains of Wayne - Sky Full of Holes
This US power pop quartet seem to have been around forever, existing on the periphery of our musical awareness since time began. In reality, they come in at around 15 years, and that's including their period of hiatus (following being dropped by Atlantic Records in '99). Still melodic, still catchy as hell, perhaps it's time to invite them in from the periphery, it's cold out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-bikVt01L0

Crystal Stilts @ The Static Gallery, £7
Brooklyn based five-piece Crystal Stilts bring their form of new-wave shoe-gaze to the Static Gallery this Monday. If you're unfamiliar with them, second album In Love With Oblivion was released to glowing reviews earlier this month, and with good reason. But don't take our word for it; check them out tomorrow night in the flesh in the salubrious surrounds of Static.
http://www.myspace.com/crystalstilts

Thurs 04/08

Memory of a Hope @ Ceri Hand Gallery
Devised by artist Matthew Houlding, Memory of a Hope is a response to a key text by sociologist Henri Lefebvre and the autobiographical writings of JG Ballard. Featuring a smorgasbord of contributors, expect rich and varied works from one of Liverpool's most reliably consistent galleries.
http://www.cerihand.co.uk/exhibitions/31/memory-of-a-hope/

Fri 05/08

Super 8
Self-styled Steven Spielberg protege, director J.J. Abrams reaches a logical landmark of his career with his latest. Executive Produced by Senor Spielbergo, Abrams' latest movie tells the story of a group of friends playing with a super 8 video camera. They capture the derailing of a train, a crash causing a mysterious and dangerous 'presence' to be unleashed on the town. Echoing many themes used throughout early periods of Spielberg's career, this could prove a watershed moment in the career of a man many believe is better suited to TV.
http://www.super8-movie.com/intl/uk/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 25/07/2011

2011-07-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Mon 25/07

The Go! Team - Ready to Go Steady
A band who seemingly receive less media coverage with each release, it's a wonder The Go! Team keep bashing on at this. And it's to our relief they do; should you give the new single a listen on reading this, you'll find pure pop perfection, the type of which the likes of Simon Cowell are content to see wiped off the face of the earth if it means making an extra dollar. Coming in at under three minutes, this gem is a reminder of what pop should be capable of.
http://www.myspace.com/thegoteam

Fri 29/07

Harvest Sun Promotions @ Mello Mello, 7:30pm, £5
"Oh ambassador, with these bands, you are spoiling us." Is probably what we'd say if Harvest Sun wanted to film an advert, Ferrero Rocher style. For this Friday sees a typically strong line-up assembled by the local aficionados showcasing some of the best music from anywhere and bringing it to Liverpool. Headlining are Mitchell Museum, a band compared to Mercury Rev, and creating gloriously eccentric psych-pop. But they aren't the only draw, you can also expect Scots anti-folk in the shape of Esperi and the Liverpool based Terra Alpha for your money.
http://www.mitchellmuseum.co.uk/

Captain America
For what it's worth, we believe we're living through something of a golden age of comic book conversions. At worst they offer the perfect pop-corn, blockbuster experience. And at best have the potential, on occasion to transcend this and be considered on their own merits as serious films dealing with serious issues. We don't expect Captain America to fall into the latter category, but that's not to say we're not champing at the bit to go and see the latest in Marvel's fine Avengers series.
http://captainamerica.marvel.com/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 18/07/2011

2011-07-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

Mon 18/07

Little Dragon - Ritual Union
Riding a wave in-part generated by a winning Glastonbury performance, Little Dragon aren't exactly an overnight success. Released Monday, Ritual Union, the third long-player from this Swedish electronica outfit should see the former high school friends onto steadier, higher ground in the public's consciousness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6AEdc-sZQ

Tue 19/07

Museum of Liverpool - Opening
It's been a long time coming, but this week sees The Museum of Liverpool open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled to take place at 10am. Opening in several phases, and with the remit to showcase the city's history and urban culture, phase one includes a life-size Liver bird, the stage on which Lennon and McCartney first met, and a 10-metre long Ceremonial Chinese Dragon. The only way you'll know whether it's been worth the wait (and the fall out from its contentious design) is to head down and have a look for yourself.
http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/whats-on.aspx

Thur 21/07

Beginners Preview @ FACT
Graphic designer, video and film director, Mike Mills (not he of REM fame) has worked on sleeve design, music videos and movies. His newie, Beginners, is a semi-autobiographical tale of Ewan McGregor's Oliver, coming to terms not only with the recent death of his mother, but also with revelations of father Hal's (played by Christopher Plummer) sexuality. To accompany the screening, FACT have an exhibition of Mills' illustrations in the bar area and invite local illustrator Will Daw (http://willdaw.com/index.html) along for some live art action.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/beginners-preview-in-association-with-volkswagen?listing_id=2097

Fri 22/07 until 24th July

Liverpool on the Waterfront
To mark the opening of The Museum of Liverpool and celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Liver Building, this Friday sees the beginning of three days worth of events along our internationally renowned waterfront. Beginning on Friday with the Liver Building throwing its doors open to the public and ending with a spectacular digital performance by Czech artists, The Macula, telling Liverpool's history with the use of projections onto the buildings, it promises to be a fine few days of Liverpool-centric entertainment.
http://themacula.com/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 11/07/2011

2011-07-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

Mon 11/07

The Horrors - Skying
Now onto their third record, Southend's finest (not an intentional oxymoron) come off all epic Human League synths here. Shedding some of their propensity to plunder the best of their own record collections, on the likes of single Still Life, it's as though they've been given a listen to a 'best of John Hughes' soundtrack. In this case, it's no bad thing at all.
www.myspace.com/thehorrors

Essential Killing DVD and Blu-ray
Essentially a high concept chase movie, Essential Killing stars Vincent Gallo (but don't let that put you off) as a man taken captive by US soldiers and whisked away, rendition-style to another country. What follows is an almost dialogue-free, gripping game of cat and mouse, as Gallo takes an opportunity brought on by a crash to make his escape. It's a thrilling, breathless pursuit through some stunning scenery.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0CR2N4xbfQ

Tue 12/07

Graduale Nobili @ The Static Gallery
Something of a coup this one, even by the high standards of promotions duo, Harvest Sun. In case you don't know, Graduale Nobili is the name by which Bjork's choir goes when not providing hauntingly powerful backing for the Icelandic superstar. Don't miss the opportunity to see what is sure to be one of the city's more interesting and captivating gigs of the year in the cozy confines of The Static Gallery.
www.myspace.com/gradualenobili

Fri until the 17th

Brazilica - Liverpool International Samba Carnival, various venues
For anyone who was out and about for Light Night earlier in the year, you may have already had a taster of this new festival in the form of Samba dancing and drumming. This coming weekend, starting Friday, sees Brazilica in full effect, featuring a carnival ball at Leaf, a parade and food market on Saturday (finishing up with an after party) and a 'Zumbathon' on Samba Sunday, amongst other events, too many to mention here.
www.brazilicafestival.com/

Fri 15/07

Hobo With a Shotgun
Not one to shy away from 'interesting projects', Rutger Hauer has had what one could describe as an up and down career. From the heights of Blade Runner and The Hitcher, you can also pick out the likes of Goal! 2: Living the Dream and Dracula III: Legacy from his filmography. Starting life as a trailer from Robert Rodriguez, it's unclear which category this exploitation movie homage will fall into, but Hauer is always highly watchable, and you suspect that he and Rodriguez will make for good bedfellows.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CROq3yeqdRo

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 04/07/2011

2011-07-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Mon 04/07

The Kingdom
Yeah-yeah, we know, Lars von Trier's a bit of dirty word right now. But don't let that put you off what is a strong and challenging (what worthwhile endeavour isn't?) body of work. Monday sees the full release of von Trier's hospital set TV psycho-drama, The Kingdom (or Riget, in the original Danish). The hospital, its patients and its staff, are subject to strange occurrences, supernatural and otherwise, and it is shot in grainy, muted tones - a world away from today's obsession with HD, and all the better for it. Whatever your opinion of von Trier and his misguided, naive attempts at comedy on an international platform, don't deny yourself some of the finest film-making out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBJBTD3cPXQ

Mon 04 - Sun 10 July

Liverpool Arabic Film Festival @ FACT
We're a closed-minded lot, humans. Insular and often wary of trying new things, and this, by-and-large, is true of the lot of us. So this week, instead of 'sticking to what you know', why not immerse yourself in another culture's rich film history? Running alongside the city's long-established Arabic Arts Festival, FACT are showcasing a week's worth of classic and new films to provide as broad an introduction as possible to a filmic heritage few in this country can say they are familiar with. Highlights include the UK premier of The Man Who Sold The World.
http://www.fact.co.uk/news/blog/2011/06/15/arabic-film-festival-coming-soon

Fri 08/07

The Tree of Life
Terence Malick's reflection on life's biggest themes won the Palme d'Or at Cannes this year, and has garnered a bucket-load of 5 star reviews. Using a 1950s family as the vehicle by which he explores the meaning of life, love and loss Malick (not without his critics) has delivered what many consider to be his masterpiece, with some even suggesting this is his 2001: A Space Odyssey moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXRYA1dxP_0

Sea of Bees @ The Scandinavian Church, £7
Julie Ann Baenziger, AKA Sea of Bees, is the latest in a run of great artists to perform at The Scandinavian Church, courtesy of promoters Harvest Sun. Not one to wear her heart anywhere other than squarely on her sleeve, Julie Ann Bee is a singer songwriter drawing favourable comparisons to the likes of Sparklehorse. Fresh off the back of high praise for last year's Songs For The Ravens, catch Julie Ann this Friday night along with support from Laura J Martin and Simon Knighton for the sweetest of stings.
http://www.myspace.com/seaofbees

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 27/06/2011

2011-06-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

Mon 27/06

Yuck - Shook Down
Genre revivalists Yuck spring a surprise with this particular release, in that its lineage isn't especially 90s American fuzz-rock, though there's still room for an unmistakable piece of Mascis-inspired guitar (no bad thing); you can more easily pick out Teenage Fanclub than you can Dinosaur Jr. The result is the same though - it's superb.
http://www.myspace.com/yuckband

Akira DVD/Blu-ray
1988's landmark Akira opened the door to the West for Manga and Anime - that it is once again subject to re-release speaks volumes of its potential to grip another generation of Sci-fi enthusiast. Featuring stunning visuals (remember, this was pre the CGI that's almost passe today), and set against a back drop of post World War III political and social strife, this cyberpunk classic retains its power.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQnw35kR6Pw

Tue 28/06

Coincidence @ Metal, Edge Hill Station
Coincidence is the result of 14 days worth of text messages, sent by French Royal Standard member Laurence Payot, to unrelated members of communities instructing they carry out simple tasks, the aim being that those participants and others may recognise the 'coincidences' of numbers of people doing the same, seemingly random, things. A short film accompanies an exhibition documenting people's experiences in the form of blogs, diaries and interviews.
http://www.coincidenceproject.co.uk/welcome/

Fri 01/07

The Fall @ Stanley Theatre
What is there left to say about post-punk survivors The Fall? Formed by Manc misanthrope Mark E Smith in '76, the band continues to evolve, thanks mainly to constant, enforced, line-up changes as a result of regular sackings carried out by Smith, and remain relevant into their 5th decade. That their influence can clearly be seen in bands such as Pavement, Blur and Elastica to mention but three, means their legacy is ensured. Support comes in the form of 'Salford Bard', John Cooper Clarke.
http://www.myspace.com/fallthe

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 20/06/2011

2011-06-18T06:59:00.000-07:00

Mon 20/06

Patrick Wolf - Lupercalia
More or less ignored by the record buying public (if not the critics), Wolf has been around since 2003's debut, Lycanthropy. Now on to his 5th studio album, Lupercalia (an ancient Roman fertility festival, apparently), Wolf retains the romance and the pop while toning down the drama a little. Though greeted by the usual favourable critical response, it remains to be seen whether the Londoner will ever make the pop breakthrough his maverick talent deserves.
http://www.patrickwolf.com/

Thur 23/06

Glastonbury 2011
For those not making it to Worthy Farm for the festival proper, coverage of the uber-fest begins across BBC R1, R2 and 6Music on Thursday, with BBC2, 3 and 4 bringing a variety of performances over the coming days. Glastonbury highlights perfectly the changing face of what we can expect from a festival these days, this year featuring the likes of U*, Col**lay and Bey*nce. I was asked a few weeks ago why I choose to go to the likes of ATP rather than festivals attracting 'bigger' acts, and Glastonbury serves as a perfect answer, frankly.
http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/

Fri 24/06

Rene Magritte: The Pleasure Principle @ Tate Liverpool
One of the most popular artists of the 20th Century, Magritte's vision of surrealism has had a huge impact across all forms of popular culture. With The Pleasure Principle, Tate Liverpool plays host to the biggest exhibition of his work in the UK in the last 20 years.
http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/renemagritte/default.shtm

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 13/06/2011

2011-06-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Mon 13/06

Dananananaykroyd - There Is a Way
The band with one of the greatest (and simultaneously, most difficult to spell and say) names in rock, Dananananaykroyd decamped to California for the recording of their follow up to 2009's Hey Everyone. For many bands, this would have resulted in a more chilled out sound; not so this Glasgow-based six piece who describe their sound as 'Fight Pop', There Is a Way, pleasingly, is every bit as shouty and riotous as we'd hope and expect from a band such as this.
http://www.myspace.com/dananananaykroyd/music

Thurs 16/06

tUnE-YaRdS @ Mojo
Another band with unusual nomenclature (the upper/lower case is intentional), tUnE-YaRdS are a somewhat experimental lo-fi outfit with a couple of records already under their belts. This Thursday sees them arrive in Liverpool to play Mojo - If you're looking for that next 'hip' act to impress/bore your friends with, these guys could be just the ticket.
http://www.myspace.com/tuneyards/music

Fri 17/06

Life In A Day
Life In A Day is the result of short films of the lives and experiences of thousands of people submitted to YouTube on 24th July 2010 being whittled down by the Oscar winning director Kevin Macdonald (Last King of Scotland). Serving as something of a time capsule for future generations of what it was like to be alive in these times, expect love, laughs, tears and drama.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePfNcj-SaZM

Emily & The Faves Album Launch @ Static Gallery
Led by Emily Lansley, Emily & The Faves aren't a band easy to pigeon-hole; like a sonic magpie, they exhibit evidence of an ear for pop, psych and post-punk - it's a combination that works beautifully though, and one only needs listen to the likes of So Long Sucker to be immediately taken by this Liverpool based band enjoying a growing reputation in the city and beyond. Catch them at Static this Friday evening for the eagerly anticipated launch of their album.
http://www.myspace.com/emlansley

PS Check out my interview for SEVEN STREETS with Emily of The Faves: http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/faves-tunes-emily-and-the-faves/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 06/06/2011

2011-06-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Mon 06/06

Cults - Abducted
I know I'm banging on about these guys, but those of you who know me quite well will also know I rarely get enthusiastic about a new band, so allow me this indiscretion! Abducted is the new single taken from Cults' debut record and is reminiscent (to me at least) of The Concretes formula of juxtaposing uplifting summer pop with a heartbreaking lyric, in this case, Madeline Follin belting out "It tore me apart 'cos I really loved him." As we all know by now, I can hardly recommend these guys enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i1MXHGB8g0

Tue 07/06

Mark Radcliffe @ The Slaughterhouse
Is he far off being regarded as a national treasure? If not national then certainly a Northern one - The DJ and pop-history chronicler can be found at The Slaughterhouse discussing new book Reelin' in the Years: The Soundtrack of a Northern Life, in which Mark uses records from his life to weave together a rich tapestry of peculiarly British culture.
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/displayDetailEvent.do?searchType=2&store=22%7CWATERSTONE'S%20LIVERPOOL&sFilter=1

Fri 10/06

Ladytron @ St. George's Hall
This Friday sees Ladytron play St. Georges Hall in what should prove to be a triumphant homecoming for the band who released a best of earlier this year, marking a decade since their debut record, 604. Born out of the late 90s electro scene, Ladytron have not only endured, but evolved into what they are today, remarkable producers of clean, sleek, finely-tuned pop. I say endured because for reasons unclear to this writer, they have been resolutely ignored by the music press for great swathes of their decade in the business - it is testament to their quality and faith that we have the opportunity to celebrate them in person this Friday.
http://www.ladytron.com/#news

Petrenko's Elgar @ The Philharmonic
With tickets starting at a highly affordable £11, there's little excuse to miss this opportunity to see the celebrated Vasily Petrenko and the RLPO take us through Elgar's Three Scenes From The Bavarian Highlands and his Second Symphony, which Elgar himself described as 'the passionate pilgrimage of a soul'. Why not spend Friday evening in the glorious surrounds of a great venue with accompaniment of great renown?
http://www.liverpoolphil.com/3384/events-classical-music/petrenkos-elgar.html

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 30/05/2011

2011-05-29T07:35:00.000-07:00

Monday 30/05

Cults - Cults
Not a band afraid to draw on, or indeed acknowledge an indebtedness to the past, Cults self-titled debut is one infused with much boy/girl sha-la-la-ing. But this is no criticism. It also happens to be an album bursting at the seams with small quirks ranging from samples to the use of glitchy electronic texture. Stand out tracks are the supremely summery Go Outside and Spectre-esque Bumper.
http://www.npr.org/2011/05/25/136463353/first-listen-cults-cults#playlist

Wednesday 01/06

Benjamin Francis Leftwich @ The Kazimier
Hailing from York, troubadour Benjamin Francis Leftwich brings his brand of fine acoustic indie-pop to The Kazimier this Wednesday. Name checking Elliott Smith and Nick Drake as influences, BFL could either be a great find or a great disappointment.
http://www.myspace.com/benjaminfrancisleftwich

Fri 03/06

Senna
Ayrton Senna's death at the San Marino grand prix in 1994 was and remains one of the great tragedies of motor racing in the modern era. The tag-line to this timely documentary reads 'No Fear. No Limits. No Equal.' and rarely can anyone have lived up so fulsomely to the hype; more than a decade on and Senna is still widely recognised as the greatest there ever was. Not likely to be an easy watch (the trailer for this film had the hairs on my arms standing up and my eyes getting mysteriously dewy), this film, one hopes and suspects will do the man and the racer's memory justice.
http://www.sennamovie.co.uk/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 23/05/2011

2011-05-22T07:37:00.000-07:00

Mon 23/05

All Watched Over By Machines Of Loving Grace - BBC2, 9pm
A contentious figure, Adam Curtis is a maker of 'event' television, and All Watched Over... promises to be exactly that. The subject matter this time around (Curtis has in the past dealt with issues including how politicians capitalise on societal fears, and modern idea[l]s of freedom) is the computer and how rather than liberate us, they have "distorted and simplified our view of the world around us".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/adamcurtis/

Wed 25/05

Film & Philosophy @ FACT Liverpool
Liverpool's FACT Centre once again proves it's more than just an alternative option to the Odeon with the beginning of what promises to be an excellent series of films and lectures centred on identity and how cinema explores and represents struggles with humanity's central tenet. The series kicks off with Roman Polanski's English language breakthrough, Repulsion, starring Catherine Deneuve.
http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/repulsion?listing_id=1763

Fri 27/05

Dead Belgian @ The Fly in The Loaf, Hardman Street. Doors 9pm, £5
Theview had the pleasure a few months back of seeing Dead Belgian in a support slot at the wonderful Nordic Church. The standout performance of any band on the line up that night was their stirring cover of Brel's Port of Amsterdam. For this reason, I urge you to check them out in the fitting surrounds of The Fly in The Loaf on Hardman Street this Friday as they perform a full set of the belgian legend's iconic songs.
http://www.myspace.com/deadbelgianpjb

Culture Diary, week commencing 16/05/2011

2011-05-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hello! Mrs View here. Mr View is up to all sorts at ATP Festival this weekend so I'm stepping in. Here are the top things happening this week that I'm particularly psyched about...

Thurs 19/05
PARTS UNKNOWN
12 artists from The Royal Standard Gallery, Liverpool, exhibit at Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh

The next exhibition from Liverpool's best contemporary arts space and studios (yes, I am biased, but it IS good) sees 12 of its artists making art in situ, playing with whatever materials and ideas they can find in Scotland's Capital. Kinda like the Wombles if they invaded an art gallery. And were talented artists. (You're fired. Mr View.)

http://www.embassygallery.org/upcoming/

Out Now
The Walking Dead DVD & Blu-Ray Release

Andrew Lincoln from This Life? Check. Drama about relationships? Check. American accent? Erm ok. Zombies? Hang on a minute... Oh yes, silly me, its The Walking Dead, and thank god it's here to perk up our Sunday evenings. Antiques Roadshow it ain't - there's more swearing, death and spilled giblets than Fiona Bruce could shake an axe at. Scary, funny and utterly compelling.

http://www.channel5.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Thurs 19/05
Mark Leckey
Serpentine Gallery, London

Yes, I know, TWO art exhibitions in the same blog this week. But Mark Leckey is worth it, we promise. 'Cinema In The Round', his lecture about the nature of images and cinematic objects, is the only presentation I've seen to successfully reference Homer Simpson's shoes, oranges and Felix the Cat all in one go. Hailing from Birkenhead (a self-confessed 'scally') and now a global star after winning the 2008 Turner Prize, Leckey's work is sharp, witty and I wish he'd been my lecturer at art school.

http://www.serpentinegallery.org/2011/03/mark_leckey_19_may_26_june_201_1.html

Thurs 19-Sat 21/05
Kurt Vile and The Violators
Plus many more at Liverpool Soundcity

In it's third year, Soundcity has grown into a pretty cool, quality festival that might be this city's musical CPR. For instance, the presence of Kurt Vile. Signed to awesome label Matador, mates with Josh T. Pearson, and owner of a quite frankly lovely head of hair, he also produces the most glorious music. All teenage summers and awkward first kisses. The Philadelphian brings all this to Soundcity this weekend, along with what promises to be the best and brightest of future music. The View is looking forward to seeing tons of new music as well as favourites Yuck, Willy Mason, and Colorama. There's also an intriguing line up of guest speakers in the first two days at the Liverpool Hilton which is certainly not your usual festival fayre. Worth a £40 weekend wristband we'd say.

http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/index.html

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 09/05/2011

2011-05-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Mon 09/05

Austra - Lose It
Hailing from Canada, Austra are a three piece made up of virtuoso vocalist Katie Stelmanis, bassist Dorian Wolf and beats supremo Maya Postepski. Lose It is the second track taken from their debut album (on Domino Records - as good a recommendation as I can give), Feel It Break.

Wed 11/05

Olof Arnalds @ Static
Though you may not be familiar with the name, Arnalds isn't exactly a new kid on the block; active on the indie scene in her native Iceland for a number of years and a touring member of Mum since 2003, she released her second solo effort Innundir skinni (produced by Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Ros) in 2010. Compared variously to the likes of Judee Sill and Kate Bush, hers is nonetheless a singular voice in what can often be a sea of mediocrity.
http://www.ticketline.co.uk/artist/olof-arnalds

Fri 13/05

Attack the Block
One of life's simplest pleasures for theview is lazily waking up and getting ready for the day to Adam & Joe on BBC Radio 6, and I could not have been happier when they returned to the Saturday morning slot recently. The reason for their time away was various solo projects. One such project from Joe (Cornish), is Attack The Block, a comedy about what happens when an alien invasion force is faced with the very real horror of encountering a teen gang on a South London estate.
http://www.attacktheblock.com/

Light Night - Venues across Liverpool
Featuring over 50 special events and openings across Liverpool City centre, Light Night provides an opportunity to get the weekend off to an exciting and cultured start. Highlights include: tours of the tower at the Anglican Cathedral, Tate's free collection being open late into the night with live music, and The Town Hall open night. On top of this, it's fair to expect gem-like offerings and late opening from the city's best indies, such as The Royal Standard on Vauxhall Road.
http://www.lightnight.co.uk/liverpool.php

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 02/05/2011

2011-04-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

Mon 02/05

Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part Two
Mike D, MCA and AD-Rock return with their confusingly titled eighth studio album (no Hot Sauce Committee Part One exists). Now in their fourth decade, the boys output never strays too far from the familiar - HSCP2 sees the Beasties revisit their old skool roots. It's familiar in the way a favourite meal or pair of slippers is. Not breaking too many boundaries these days then, but still relevant and more importantly, still good.
http://beastieboys.com/

Thur 05/05

Psychoville BBC2 @ 10pm
It's not that theview doesn't like TV (some of it is on a par with the best cinema) but it's the one thing I've always left off the blog. It wasn't really a conscious decision, more of a given almost. But today all that changed, I learned Psychoville was returning to our screens and with it all those maladjusted (and brilliant) characters of the first series - terrifying childrens 'entertainer' Mr Jelly is probably my personal fave. Be excited, but mostly be afraid!!!

Fri 06/05

Macbeth @ The Everyman
Son of the Everyman, David Morrissey returns to the theatre where it all started for him, playing the title role of the murderous and paranoid King of the realm, opposite Julia ford as Lady Macbeth.
http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/MACBETH/521.aspx

Hanna
Directed by Joe Wright (of Atonement fame), Hanna tells the tale of a 16 year old girl, raised by her father to be the perfect assassin (for reasons which become clear). A strong ensemble cast features Saoirse Ronan as Hanna, Eric Bana as her father and Cate Blanchett as the corrupt CIA agent Hanna must eliminate, this movie promises thrills and spills aplenty.
http://www.hannathemovie.com/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 25/04/2011

2011-04-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Wed 27/04

Thor
Marvel's Norse God Thor gets the big screen treatment. This latest comic book to movie adaptation is helmed by Kenneth Brannagh and stars relative unknown Chris Hemsworth as the God turfed out of Asgard to live amongst humble human kind. Natalie Portman provides the eye candy for those of us unmoved by Chris.
http://thor.marvel.com/

Moves 11 @ Bluecoat
Featuring challenging and dynamic work from more than 20 countries around the globe, the 7th International Festival of Movement on Screen opens at the Bluecoat this Wednesday. Running until 1st May, the works deal with challenging traditional conventions of screen art.
http://www.movementonscreen.org.uk/page.asp?id=2878

Johnny Foreigner @ The Shipping Forecast
Signed to Alcopop! Records, this three-piece hailing from Birmingham specialise in a kind of raucous, knockabout indie-pop not a million miles away from the style and energy of Los Campesinos! Wednesday sees the band arrive in Liverpool as part of a national headlining tour promoting the new EP.
http://johnnyforeignerband.com/

Fri 29/04

Dylan Moran : Yeah, Yeah @ The Royal Court
Famous curmudgeon and much loved star of Black Books, Moran brings his brand of cheerful and charming miserabilism to The Royal Court this Friday.
https://royalcourtliverpool.ticketsolve.com/shows/126510972/events

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 18/04/2011

2011-04-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

Mon 18/04

Tron/Tron Legacy DVD and Bluray release
The movie Daft Punk were born to soundtrack, Tron Legacy is out on DVD Monday, available on its own, or bundled with the original 1982 release. Each stars Jeff Bridges, and while Legacy isn't exactly breaking the same technological boundaries of the original and its contemporaries, it is at least interesting as a representation of where we've ended up as a result.

Yuck - Get Away
A band in thrall to a previous generation of American alt rock, tomorrow sees the release of the newie off their self titled debut album. Derivative they most certainly are, but at least they have (very,very) good taste.

Thurs 21/04

GZA @ The Kazimier
Sometime member of seminal hip-hop outfit The Wu-Tang Clan and all round legend in his own right, GZA brings his characteristic brand of rap to the Kazimier, performing a mixture of Wu-Tang classics and material from his latest Liquid Swords record.
http://www.thekazimier.co.uk/listings.htm

Fri 22/04

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec
Best loved and revered for earlier films such as La Femme Nikita and Leon, French writer/director Luc Besson is never better than when pouring his creative energies into a powerful yet human (even in the case of 1997's The Fifth Element) central heroine. One hopes the same can be said of his latest offering, bringing to the big screen the adventures of an intrepid journalist come adventurer, in his adaptation of Jacque Tardi's cartoon strips and books.

HOLIDAY!!!!

2011-04-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

theview is taking a well earned holiday this week and as such there will be no Culture Diary (it's okay, you'll cope), but rest assured, normal service shall be resumed as of next weekend.

XXX

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 04/04/2011

2011-04-02T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mon 04/04

The Kills - Blood Pressures
The Kills seem doomed to be perennially written off as a band choosing style over substance, but this Monday sees the release of their fourth long player, Blood Pressures, for Domino Records. That kind of relative longevity suggests there's more to this band than cool literary references, killer guitar riffs and a sexy vocalist - though they possess these things also.

http://www.thekills.tv/bloodpressuresstream.php

The Man Who Fell to Earth
Nic Roeg's somewhat overlooked science fiction allegory about an intergalactic outsider (played with supreme detachment by David Bowie) trying to find a way to save his dying planet is granted a much deserved remastered release.

Fri 08/04

Living Apart: Photographs of Apartheid @ The International Slavery Museum
40 years of South Africa's troubled recent history are condensed into some 100 powerful and iconic images documenting tragedy and hope, from photographer Ian Berry.

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/exhibitions/livingapart/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 28/03/2011

2011-03-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Mon 28/03

The Decemberists - Don't Carry It All
Taken from January release The King Is Dead, this latest single doesn't stray too far from typical Decemberist territory - all at once harking back to an imagined arcadia while pushing a more main stream sensibility than some previous material.

http://www.myspace.com/thedecemberists

Wed 30/03

Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales @ Liverpool Playhouse
The League of Gentlemen's Jeremy Dyson brings the celebrated children's author's short stories for adults to the stage for the first time - Gleaning a number of highly favourable reviews, and coming as it does from the co-writer of Ghost Stories, expectations are high.

http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/ROALD_DAHLS_TWISTED_TALES/496.aspx

Fri 01/04

Source Code
Duncan Jones folllows up his superb debut Moon, with Source Code, a futuristic thriller with definite Philip K Dick overtones. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a man on a mission to prevent the bombing of a train - but it's not quite as simple as all that.

http://www.enterthesourcecode.com/

Erland & The Carnival @ The WIlliamson Tunnels
Another band seemingly in thrall to the past,, Erland and The Carnival bring their very particular psych-folk to the marvellous surrounds of The Williamon Tunnels. What's more, they're supported by Hannah Peel and Candie Payne's The Big House.Top acts and a top venue - One not to miss we'd say.

http://www.williamsontunnels.co.uk/view.php?page=events

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 21/03/2011

2011-03-20T07:52:00.000-07:00

Mon 21/03

The Strokes - Angles
A decade on from their blinding debut Is this it, and half a decade since their last release, The Strokes return with Angles. Rumours abound that the recording process wasn't exactly painless, so I think theview can be forgiven for fearing the worst. Yet we still can't quite remove our rose tinted spectacles or shake the feeling New York City Cops provided in our relative youth, so theview will blindly retain some hope until proved wrong.

First House on the East Coast @ The Royal Standard
Associate member at The Royal Standard, Kate Murray showcases her photography at Vauhall Road's oasis of creativity, The Royal Standard. The private view is on Monday, and will be accompanied by as yet unannounced bands.

http://www.the-royal-standard.com/about/

Fri 25/03

Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Werner Herzog's has and continues to be a rich and varied career, and this Friday his latest documentary (about human kind's oldest known artistic creations, found in the Chauvet caves of Southern France) opens nationwide in 3D. Expect to be entertained and astonished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDiQ1lvBbr0

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 14/03/2011

2011-03-13T06:05:00.000-07:00

Mon 14/03

Patrick Wolf - The City

theview is constantly torn between how Wolf remains signed and why he isn't an absolutely huge pop star. On the one hand, he keeps putting out singles like this one, possessing as it does, genuine crossover appeal. Yet on the other retains a mystifyingly (and criminally) low-profile. Whatever, Wolf deserves to be a much bigger name than he is and this single is a stab in the right direction.

Primal Scream - Screamadelica: 20th anniversary edition

Available in 4 different formats including the lovely collector's edition boxset, Primal Screams Screamadelica is given the recognition it deserves, groundbreaking as it was, influential as it remains.

Fri 18/03

Submarine

Best known (and loved) for his portrayal of socially inept IT worker, Mos in The IT Crowd, Richard Ayoade is set to make waves with his debut feature. Submarine tells the tale of 15 year old anti-hero Oliver Tate, dealing with the impending collapse of his parents' relationship and even bigger, losing his cherry.

Hannah Peel @ The Scandinavian Church

LIPA graduate Hannah Peel brings her brand of ethereal indie-folk to the fitting surrounds of one of Liverpool's best kept secrets, The Scandinavian Church, touring debut solo album Broken Wave.

http://www.myspace.com/hanpeel

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 07/03/2011

2011-03-06T07:40:00.000-08:00

Mon 07/03

REM - Collapse Into Now
For a band boasting REM's legacy and longevity yet little critical or popular success for well over a decade, a new release can always feel a little like a coded message for fans of a certain vintage to affect the brace position (again). All the signs from Collapse Into Now, however, seem to point to something different; early reports suggesting it's a (genuine) return to the formula that made REM a world-conquering force. Welcome back, it's been too long.

Fri 11/03

The Phantom Band @ The Bluecoat
Signed to well thought of indie, Chemikal Underground, Glaswegian Indie-folksters, The Phantom Band rock upto the performance space in the Bluecoat this Friday.

http://www.phantomband.co.uk/

Norwegian Wood
Adapted from the acclaimed novel (by Haruki Murakami) of the same name, Norwegian Wood is a tale dealing with loss, love and sexuality, set against the backdrop of the burgeoning student protest movement of late 60s Japan.

This Week...

2011-02-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

the view is taking a week off. Blame it on belated birthday celebrations enjoyed to the fullest last night and well into the early hours of this morning.

Special thanks must go firstly to all the lovely people who came along to share in my burgeoning crawl towards the mid 30s and to Le Savy Fav, without whom the night may have been all the less memorable, and mind-blowing.

Having said that, I can't resist pointing you in the direction of a handful of cultural highlights for the week; tonight of course is Oscar night. Suffering from Firth fatigue? Probably best to stay away, so here are my tips for the 'big ones':

Best Film: The Social Network (David Fincher)
Best Actor: Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best Actress: Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best Director: David Fincher, The Social Network

Not all of which are who I think deserve to win of course.

This Friday sees the Mercury Awards of 2009's obligatory jazz act, Led Bib, play the Kazimier, a reissue for John Huston's odd couple in adversity classic, The African Queen and, ahem, The Levelllers and The Wonderstuff rolling back the years at the O2 Academy - Gross.

The usual, full service will resume next week folks.

Gruff Rhys - Legend

2011-02-22T02:06:00.000-08:00

On Friday, theview had the privilege of interviewing Super Furrys front man and all round icon, Gruff Rhys.

People say don't meet your heroes, but he gave great consideration to questions he's probably heard a million times before, put us at ease (I'll admit, the nerves were getting to me as interview time approached), and even offered us our pick of a nice range of salads which seems to pass as his rider these days!

Click the link below to read the interview in full and gig review from the same night.

http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/animal-magic/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 21/02/2011

2011-02-19T09:06:00.000-08:00

Now until 12 March

Oedipus @ Liverpool Playhouse
Steven Berkoff brings his adaptation of Sophocles's greatest Greek tragedy to Liverpool Playhouse. Jaunty romance it isn't, Oedipus tells the tale of a mythical king fulfilling a terrible prophecy. Probably not a first-date kind of thing.

http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/show/OEDIPUS/494.aspx

Fri 25/02

Jamie Woon @ The Shipping Forecast
Strongly tipped (he placed 4th in the BBC's sound of 2011) electro-soul troubador Woon hits the Shipping Forecast this Friday.

http://www.jamiewoon.com/news/2010/12/shipping-forecast,-liverpool

Howl
James Franco continues to impress in 2011 (after his strong showing in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours and the release of his warmly received debut novel Palo Alto) bringing Beat chronicler Allen Ginsberg to life in this screen adaptation of the poet's defining work.

Mangum Opus

2011-02-17T04:54:00.000-08:00

Not content with having Pavement curate a festival for them in 2010, ATP have arguably raised the stakes with the coup of Neutral Milk Hotel's Jeff Mangum returning to the stage for this December's Minehead extravaganza.

With the likes of Young Marble Giants, Superchunk, The Raincoats and Apples In Stereo already confirmed, theview is kind of wondering where they go from there...

YOWZA!

http://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1102161500.php

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 14/02/2011

2011-02-12T07:13:00.000-08:00

Mon 14/02

Yuck - Holing Out
Rising from the ashes of Cajun Dance Party and augmented by a fresh face here and there, Yuck sit at the forefront of a grunge revival. Supporting the likes of Dinosaur Jr and Teenage Fanclub, while citeing Pavement amongst their influences, Yuck hark back to a time when indie meant something rather than nothing.

Fri 18/02

Day for Night (Reissue)
Following on nicely from this weekend’s release of Two In The Wave, a film chronicling the sometimes strained relationship of the French new wave’s Jean Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut, Day For Night (referring to the technique used to shoot ‘night’ scenes in the day) is the latter’s film about film-making.

Gruff Rhys
90’s survivor, Welsh legend or Indie icon, whatever Gruff Rhys means to you he’s now touring his soundtrack to art installation Hotel Shampoo (http://www.gruffrhys.com/hotel-shampoo/gruffrhys_hotelshampoo_300/), and this Friday pitches up at Liverpool’s hipster venue of choice, The Kazimier.
http://www.thekazimier.co.uk/listings.htm

Seven Streets Call for Contributors

2011-02-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Been sitting on an untapped talent for writing? Wanna get something off your chest but think you don't have a platform from which to do it?

Go here now: http://www.sevenstreets.com/blog/call-for-contributors/

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 07/02/2011

2011-02-05T06:12:00.000-08:00

Mon 7/02

James Blake - James Blake
Debut record from the strongly tipped posh boy. On the radar of those 'in the know' since 2009's remix of Untold's Stop What You're Doing, but really coming to prominence with his cover of Feist's Limit to Your Love, 2011 could (and, one expects, will) see Blake reach many a middle class dinner party. Am I beinng cynical? You decide.

Wed 9/02

Quiet City @ FACT
Showing as part of FACT's 'Mumblecore' season, this 2007 offering from don of the genre Aaron Katz, is a typically charming low-key affair. If you're a newcomer to the scene, you could do worse than to start here.

http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/mumblecore-quiet-city?listing_id=1592

Fri 11/02

Jonny @ Mojo
Jonny is the name of 90's indie survivors Norman Blake and Euros Childs's (of Teenage Fanclub and Gorky's Zygotic Mynci respectively) new project. Anyone familiar with the music of those two bands will perhaps be unsurprised that the pairing results in a delicious brand of bubblegum garage-pop.

http://www.allgigs.co.uk/view/event/341726/Jonny_Mojo_Liverpool_11_February_2011.html

(Wild) Pet Sounds

2011-02-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

theview would very much like to draw your attention to a typically strong showing tonight from those boys down at Harvest Sun Promotions.

Featuring recent Bella Union signing Lone Wolf on the top of the bill, the hotly tipped three-piece Stealing Sheep (http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/the-golden-fleece/) and Merseyside buzz-band OWLS* - Not one to be missed, hopefully we'll see you there!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=178916032119142

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 31/01/2011

2011-01-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

Mon 31/01

The Go! Team - Rolling Blackouts
New release featuring typically eclectic material from the Brighton-based pop-hop outfit.

Wed 02/02

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra
The renowned orchestra led by principal conductor Vasiliy Petrenko perform works from Stravinsky and Shostokovich amongst others, conducted here by Andrew Litton.

http://www.liverpoolphil.com/3342/events-classical-music/memorable-melodies.html

Fri 04/02

The Fighter
Director David O. Russell's (I Heart Huckabees/ Three Kings) The Fighter, tells the familiar tale of a boxer aiming one last uppercut at the big time, only in this case it's based on the true story of boxer 'Irish' Micky Ward (played here by Mark Wahlberg). The Fighter received an Oscar nomination last week for best supporting actor for the performance by Christian Bale, playing Micky's half brother and trainer, Dicky.

Correction

2011-01-26T08:31:00.000-08:00

To those involved with Chew Disco and (equally importantly) those wanting to go, please be aware that I mistakenly listed its date as the 28th Jan, when in fact, Chew will be happening (happening being the operative word) on Saturday the 29th.

Apologies from the view...

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 24/01/2011

2011-01-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

Mon 24/01

Jim Noir - Zooper Dooper EP
Given he's been doing the rounds for a few years now, you could be forgiven for expecting Noir to have discarded his eccentric brand of psychedelia for something a little darker by now. Judging by this latest release though (originally supposed to see the light of day late last year), you'd be wrong. And for that, the view is grateful, as in this dark, never-ending January, we need all the brightness thrown our way that we can get!

http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/jim-noir-review/

http://jimnoir.com/

Fri 28/01

Biutiful
Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's first feature since Babel stars Javier Bardem as an ailing underworld figure struggling to come to terms with mortality.
Said to have garnered a career defining performance from Bardem, Biutiful nevertheless, promises to be a difficult (but one hopes, rewarding) watch.

Sat 29/01

Chew Disco @ The Shipping Forecast, Slater Street
The left-field cornucopia of a night out returns for 2011 with its usual mix of live bands, DJs and much dancing from the punters and the regular line-up of go-go dancers.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=108367519236093&index=1

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 17/01/2011

2011-01-15T07:44:00.000-08:00

Mon 17/01

PJ Harvey - 'The words That Maketh Murder' (Digital Download)
The first single of new release, 'Let England Shake'. Any new material from PJ (in a career spanning more than 20 years) is worth getting excited about, and theview is willing to bet you'll find this no different.

http://pjharvey.lucidwebs.co.uk/home.asp

Fri 21/01

Black Swan
Make no mistake, each new film from Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky is now rightly viewed as an event in itself. That this one stars Natalie Portman (brilliantly playing a dancer pushing herself to psychological breaking point) should be all you need to get yourself out to the cinema this Friday night. Expect a superlative gothic horror, perhaps providing Portman with the role of her career.

Sat 22/01

Ian McCulloch, The Well, Liverpool Cathedral
The Mac plays the pretty awesome Liverpool Cathedral in a rescheduled gig (previously cancelled due to the December winter wonderland) which, one expects, should be more than worth the wait.

http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/401/section.aspx/400/an_evening_with_mac_rescheduled

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 10/01/2011

2011-01-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Mon 10/01

I'm Still Here (DVD/Blu Ray release)
For those who didn't catch it on its cinema release, you can now seek out (should you so wish) Joaquin Phoenix's relatively elaborate ruse of a spoof documentary. Charting the decline and fall into madness of a high profile Hollywood star. Make of this what you will. If you can watch it for what is it, you'll probably find something in there to enjoy.

British Sea Power - Valhalla Dancehall
Brighton's finest, British sea Power, usher in 2011 with a release full of eloquent, anthemic indie-pop.

Fri 14/01

The Green Hornet
Significant not in that it stars Seth Rogan, so much as this latest (seemingly) typical Hollywood comic book conversion is directed by French auteur Michel Gondry (honestly, I'm not making this up!). If I wasn't typing, my head would still be in my hands.

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Wow, almost three weeks have elapsed since my last (some may say under-represented) culture diary (but at least they were goodies, right?!?!?). I confess, it's been difficut peeling myself from the couch in order to set foot back on the blog, but now I have I'm very glad indeed that I did.

Peace out.

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 20/12/2010

2010-12-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Mon 20/12

Ryan Adams and The Cardinals - III/IV
The once prolific but now semi-retired Adams brings fans of his particular brand of alt. country an early Christmas gift in the form of this double album recorded with his band, the Cardinals in 2007 during the sessions for that year's release, Easy Tiger.

Get hold of a copy from the lovely old-skool themed website of Adams' label website:
http://paxamrecords.com/

Fri 24/12

It's a Wonderful Life @ Fact
For many (quite rightly), It's a Wonderful Life is the quintessential Christmas movie. Telling the tale of George Bailey (played brilliantly by Jimmy Stewart) ladened down with various yuletide crises, it is the perfect example of director Frank Capra's ability to imbue his audience with pure, beautiful magic.

http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/its-a-wonderful-life?listing_id=1576

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 13/12/2010

2010-12-12T06:23:00.000-08:00

Mon 13/12

The War You Don't See, plus live Q&A with Director, John Pilger (via satellite).
Award winning film-maker John Pilger analyses the role played by the media in war time, investigating whether the journalist's job has changed from reporting the facts to legitimising Western Hegemony.

@ FACT, 18:20 - http://www.fact.co.uk/whats-on/the-war-we-don-t-see-plus-q-a-with-john-pilger-live-by-satellite?listing_id=1508

Fri 17/12

Nam June Paik @ Tate Liverpool & FACT
The visionary Korean-born American artisit is celebrated here in the first major retrospective of his work since his death in 2006.
Working in various media, Nam June Paik is considered by many to be one of the 20th Century's most avant-garde of artists.

http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/exhibitions/namjunepaik/default.shtm

Sat 18/12

'OH DEER' The Royal Standard Christmas Party

After a stellar year featuring appearing at Tate Modern (No Soul for Sale) and hosting some of the best work seen during the Biennial (Hierarchies of Allegiance/Dead Pan), the guys from The Standard are looking to cap it off with an uber (and very well deserved) party this Saturday. Featuring live music and DJ sets, expect a Christmas cracker of a night!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/event.php?eid=127331833995014
http://www.the-royal-standard.com/

TwiTrip to Liverpool - The Verdict

2010-12-07T05:56:00.000-08:00

Last week I posted a link for The Guardian newspaper's Twitter guided tour to Liverpool, whereby via the power of modern technology, journalist Benji Lanyado fielded suggestions of where to visit in a whistlestop tour of the city.

Click on the link to see what he got up to: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/dec/07/twitrip-liverpool-verdict

Culture Diary, Week Commencing 6/12/2010

2010-12-05T08:19:00.000-08:00

Mon 6/12

Patrick Wolf - Time of My Life
New single release from the undervalued and underexposed indie-pop songsmith, Patrick Wolf, setting to music the aftermath of a(nother) failed relationship. Hey, don't worry, it's more upbeat than it sounds!

Fri 10/12

The Shop Around the Corner (re-issue)
For those of you lucky enough to be close to a cinema showing this re-release of the 1940 classic (re-made as You've Got Mail in 1998 for the e-mail generation, starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks), please do seek it out. Starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, it tells the tale of workmates who find love unexpectedly. Perfect for the hopelessly romantic.

Sat 11/12

Electric Reindeer
Brought to us by the boys of Harvest Sun Promotions, the Christmas party night features performances from The Tea Street Band, Run Toto Run and Picture Book, with DJ sets from Bernie Connor and Ste Brennan.

www.myspace.com/harvestsunpromotions

Guided around Liverpool by Twitter suggestions?

2010-11-29T04:10:00.000-08:00

theviewfromahill loves this idea! The Guardian's Benji Lanyado will arrive in Liverpool in around an hours time.

Let's see where he goes and what he thinks: http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/nov/29/twitrip-liverpool-twitter

The Cooperative Project

2010-11-28T08:12:00.000-08:00

Just a note to mark the close of the Cooperative Project (http://blogs.biennial.com/2010/09/16/liverpool-biennial-2010-preview-the-cooperative/).

Running alongside this year's biennial the coop served as a means of forging links between some of the city's indie galleries and studios (Red Wire and The Royal Standard amongst them), and promoting them in a more meaningful manner.

With slide shows from some of those involved and a rollicking performance from Hot Club de Paris, the project certainly went out with a bang.

An experiment worth doing again theviewfromahill thinks.

Culture Diary, week commencing 29/11/2010

2010-11-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

Monday 29/11

Splice (DVD & Blu-ray release)
Dealing with the ethical dilemas and consequences of dabbling with human DNA and genetics, Splice went criminally ignored on its theatrical release (surprising given its support from producer Guillermo del Toro). Deserves to be seen more widely on DVD blu-ray.

Tuesday 30/11

The Red Shoes
Hans Christian Anderson's cautionary tale about being careful what you wish for is brought to life in time for Christmas by the folks at Unity Theatre.

http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/126-theredshoes.html

Friday 03/12

Jim Noir @ Static
Another coup from the boys of Harvest Sun Promotions as they bring the delights of bona fide Manc-folk superstar Jim Noir to the Static Galery this Friday.

http://www.sevenstreets.com/music-and-listening/jim-noir-at-static/

Culture Diary, week commencing 22/11/2010

2010-11-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

Monday 22/11

Nicki Minaj - Pink Friday
Guest rapping for acts such As Kanye and Ludacris, tomorrow sees the release of Nicki Minaj's debut, Pink Friday. Used to upstaging her more (in)famous hosts, how does her own record stand up, or is it more a case of watered down?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/21/nicki-minaj-pink-friday-review

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/audio/2010/nov/23/nicki-minaj-pink-friday

Wednesday 24/11

Rebel Rants With Peter Tatchell at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Based upon his experience of the ongoing battle for LGBT human rights, the veteran campaigner argues that as a society we are 'Not Queer Enough'.

www.writingonthewall.org.uk

Thursday 25/11

Leftfield @ Liverpool University, Liverpool Music Week

The 90's dance legends bowed to fan pressure earlier this year to play a smattering of dates and festivals (including Creamfields in August), and will look to make their Liverpool return a triumphant one this week.

www.liverpoolmusicweek.co.uk

Eighthday Army - New Release

2010-11-18T05:07:00.000-08:00

Watch out for this new release from Liverpool perennials, Eighthday Army

http://eighthdayarmy.bandcamp.com/album/cogs

You wouldn't let it lie......

2010-11-16T04:17:00.001-08:00

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/nov/16/billy-corgan-pavement

Billy Corgan in pot and kettle incident. Tragic.

Culture Diary, week commencing 15/11/2010

2010-11-14T14:06:00.000-08:00

Monday 15/11

Los Campesinos @ Mojo, Liverpool Music Week
Wichita records indie popsters play Mojo in a free gig as part of Liverpool Music Week.

http://www.liverpoolmusicweek.com/free-shows/

Thursday 18/11

Long Night Various venues across Liverpool
Highlights include: Candle lit tours of Lutyens crypt beneath Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Artists involved in exhibition 'Dead Pan' discuss their work at The Royal Standard Gallery on Vauxhall Road and Young Liverpool Film Night at Fact showcases the next genertion of local filmmaking talent.

Download the programme here: http://www.culture.org.uk/attachments/42_16126218962379177537.pdf

Friday 19/11

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I (12A) On national release
Part one of the final chapter (or is it?) in the prodigious wizard's story.

What it is

2010-11-14T11:16:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new blog. The aim is to provide cultural comment and criticism sifting through the good and bad so you don't have to!

Come back and visit for regular (I'm aiming for weekly, but I'm making no promises) updates on what's going on locally and nationally in gigs, cinema, exhibitions, etc; a pop culture diary and guide if you will.

For dedicated goings on in Liverpool, check out the superb Sevenstreets.com: http://www.sevenstreets.com/