9.49°C This editorial currently features in the June 2011 issue of The Colchester Circle, available throughout the town now.
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Here are just some of the events taking place this month where you can be sure of hearing some great music.
Ben Howard
Glastonbury and Bestival favourites Manouche come to Colchester on Friday 3rd June for what promises to be an energetic party at Tin Pan Alley. The gypsy swing ensemble performs specially arranged, upbeat works of Django Reinhardt – the gypsy king of jazz – alongside swing classics, fusing in elements of electro grooves and surf guitar. Manouche provide electrified gypsy swing for the dancefloor generation and breathes new life into already lively numbers. They’ll go down a storm at this intimate venue.
Mangled has announced its final event after more than 21 years of putting on some of the best raves Colchester has ever seen while raising money for great causes. On Saturday 4th June 2011, the team take over Sub Zero at the University of Essex for One Love – a nine-hour party for those who have supported Mangled over the years. The line-up is as strong as we’ve come to expect, with Adamski and Bizarre Inc featuring Angie Brown performing live on stage, alongside a host of DJs including Richie Fingers, Mangled, Jamie Smart and A Man Like Ju.
On Sunday 5 June, head down to Lion Walk Shopping Centre at 1pm for the latest SoUNDAY Shopping event. Every week until 14th August, two music acts perform live to shoppers in a bid to win an additional chance to perform at Colchester Free Festival later in the summer. SoUNDAY Shopping is organised by the festival organisers and founding festival partners Lion Walk to bring music to the heart of the town ahead of the one-day festival in Castle Park on 27th August. You can find out who’s playing each week by visiting www.lionwalkshopping.com.
Tom Hingley returns to The Soundhouse at The Bull on Friday 17th June for what I expect will be another great acoustic set from the former Inspiral Carpets frontman. Last year, he played Inspirals classics such as ‘This Is How It Feels’, alongside tracks from his solo project The Lovers, and entertained the crowd throughout. The straight-talking Madchester legend is always good value. The last time he was in Colchester, a few of us ended up in V Bar in the early hours, with most of the punters unaware that the bloke on the sofa with us was the same man Noel Gallagher once roadied for. That was a top night – and this should be too.
In 1979, a band called The Lepers was formed in Colchester by locals Robbie Grey, Gary McDowell and Michael Conroy. A few line-up changes and a new name later, the band went on to enjoy major UK and US success in the 80s, releasing huge hits such as ‘Hands Across the Sea’ and ‘I Melt With You’, recording two sessions for John Peel and signing to labels including 4AD and Sire. Modern English return home with their original line-up to play Colchester Arts Centre on Saturdayth 25 June.
The Victoria Inn on North Station Road had a makeover earlier this year after Andy Pilgrim and Sheena Valentine took over, and they’ve done a brilliant job transforming it into a friendly pub hosting regular live music. On Friday nights, you’ll find jam sessions, some purely acoustic with no amplification at all. Then on Sunday afternoons around 5pm you can catch live acts – which certainly beats watching Points of View on the television. Part of the venue’s success is that it’s not in the main town centre, allowing it to build a loyal customer base and reputation at its own pace. There’s decent real ale on offer too, so it’s well worth stopping by next time you’re passing.
