9.29°C This editorial currently features in the November 2010 issue of The Colchester Circle, available throughout the town right now.
As soon as I met the team behind The Colchester Circle, I knew this was a publication I wanted to work with and support. The town they spoke about is the town I live in and love. Like every other town in the UK, Colchester has its faults, but I prefer to focus on what makes it unique – including the vibrant music scene I champion through my website and Facebook group. This page won’t cover everything happening each month, but here are just some of the events you can take your mates to, safe in the knowledge of hearing some great music.
Ben Howard
Keep Colchester Cool recommends…
Freaky Age return to the UK and, if you missed them last time, don’t make the same mistake twice. The foursome from Belgium play The Raging Bull at The Soundhouse (The Bull) on Friday 12 November. Adding to the excitement, they are joined by Colchester’s Angry Vs The Bear, Cav OK and The 633, who also do a sterling job organising the monthly Raging Bull nights that this year have seen acts such as We Rock Like Girls Don’t, and Tom Hingley of Inspiral Carpets play in town.
The following day, Saturday 13 November at 5pm, Angry Vs The Bear return to The Soundhouse for an exclusive gig for local music fans aged between 14 and 18. With no alcohol on sale and no over-18s allowed, this is a great opportunity to catch the Colchester Free Festival co-headliners in a brilliant venue.
James Hunter, who has played venues including The Hollywood Bowl and supported legends such as Aretha Franklin and Van Morrison – who once said, “James is one of the best voices, and best kept secrets, in British R’n’B and Soul” – brings his rhythm and blues to The Twist on Saturday 13 November. The Colchester-born soul singer achieved “overnight success that’s taken 20 years…” following the release of his album People Gonna Talk in 2006, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album. This is a rare chance to see him perform in his hometown.
Fancy an all-day jam session in aid of BBC Children in Need? Slack Space hosts The Big Jam on Monday, 15 November from 10am to 6pm. Organised by Oliver Dowling and sponsored by Sound Attak, Oliver will be drumming throughout the entire session, and all local musicians are invited to take part. Amps will be provided – just bring your instrument and jam the day away.
At Colchester Arts Centre on Thursday, 18 November, you can catch Atari Teenage Riot, who have reunited after a 10-year hiatus. The techno noise-punk act from Berlin still features original members Alec Empire and Nic Endo, now joined by MC CX Kidtronik, who has previously worked with Saul Williams and Kanye West. John Peel was a fan, as were The Beastie Boys, who released early ATR material on their Grand Royal label. More recently, Spin.com’s review of their gig at London’s Electric Ballroom in May noted: “It’s rare in a world now ruled by Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber to hear music that is so angry with itself and with everything else around it. But ATR’s overwhelming energy is difficult to deny, and difficult not to admire.”
Last but by no means least, there’s a funk-infused collaboration at Trotters Bar on Saturday 27 November, with a host of Colchester musicians coming together for a live improvised set. Orlando Perez, producer of jazz, Latin and house-influenced electronic funk, is joined by self-confessed funkateer and soulsmith Greg Blackman, Gary Leach of The Scoobs and Geoff Clark of Housework and The Jazmine Ava Band. Expect live beats, keys, percussion and an array of freestyle vocals. The instrumental set runs from 9.30pm to 10.30pm, followed by a vocal set from 11pm to midnight.
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