Brockley Max preview
With the third annual Brockley Max festival almost upon us, guest writer and enthusiastic local Jon Godsell takes a look at some of the forthcoming live music events that will be ringing throughout Brockley during festival week.
The opening night on Friday 1st June is an outdoor event at the Bob Marley Memorial by the station, from 4pm until 10. This will be a street party of the highest calibre, with plenty of up-and-coming local talent.
Acts in the line-up include emerging indie band Don't We Look Smart, talented and hotly-tipped singer/songwriter The Spotlight Kid and 7-piece funk outfit The Groove Diggerz. Keep your fingers crossed for the weather, but fear not, they have a gazebo!
Saturday 2nd, blues singer Earl Green takes to the floor in Moonbow Jake's with his band, The Right Time. This looks set to be a great performance from a man with many years of experience, and the intimate Moonbows lends itself well to this sort of music.
Sunday 3rd is a local showcase, also at Moonbows. Tuesday Heartbreak together with Alice Renouf and Honey Cube should all provide some very catchy indie tunes, whilst XFM's latest find Harold Fergus should turn the lights down low and take the crowd all acoustic.
On Tuesday 5th, regulars on the Shoreditch scene Masters Of Disguise play Moonbows (do you notice a theme here?), with their genre-hopping mix of indie, jazz, rock 'n' roll, and funk. Call it what you like, last year it was a fantastic show.
The Wickham Arms presents the unmistakable Cosmic Sausages on Wednesday 6th. One of the most popular bands at the festival, I won't attempt to pigeon-hole them but imagine Right Said Fred meets Harry Hill, with accordions (see below).
Expect sing-along tunes for all the family, great gags, and their Cornetto-ad style cover of Creep by Radiohead is an unforgettable experience. Recommended.
Back at Moonbow Jakes on Friday 8th, net-label Audio Aubergine bring an electronic edge to the Max. Difficult to tell what the live sound will be like, but the artists featured online seem to share an intelligent sample-based sound, with an emphasis on minimal house and electronica. Nowt wrong with that. Expect mucho beard stroking and possibly some head nodding!
Saturday 9th brings a fitting end to the festival with Moonbow Jakes hosting their own marquee by the stone circle in Hilly Fields park, from noon til late, with an open air stage run by FHI promotions.
The line up at the 'Marquis of Moonbows', like the cafe, is eclectic, with acoustic artists, comedians and dance on the bill. Too many acts to list here, but young skate-rockers Diesel Sky will be back, and the brilliantly named Bacardiac Arrest look set to end the week with a blues-rock bang.
Things quieten down at 10pm, but make a Brockley friend or two, and, if past years are anything to go by, the hottest ticket of the whole festival will be an invite a very special after party.
These are just some of the many bands playing Brockley Max! The line-up for all events are subject to change at short notice. More info on the Brockley Max website.
