Musicport Festival

Countdown to Musicport

2011-10-31T12:24:00.004Z

Here, in no order, are my 4 must-see acts at Musicport....

Mercedes Peon - shame her website is in Spanish, I'm sure there's a Google Translate button somewhere that'll turn it into excellent fractured English...the word 'legend' is over-used and cheapened...Mercedes Peon is the real deal.

Amsterdam Klezmer band - with a bit of luck, this link should give you the English version of their website. I've never seen them, but you can't go wrong with a bit of klezmer - music made to define the word 'raucous'. should be uplifting.

Kanda Bongo Man - of whome one journo said ' “

If Kanda Bongo doesn’t make you want to dance, call an ambulance. You’re dead.”

Chris Wood - simply the finest singer/songwriter in the UK. And of the UK. Maybe one year M.Port could get Hugh Lupton along too, to do some story telling.

Then there's a whole list of other people that I might see, basically just about all the other artists [it would be churlish to list the ones I don't want to see] - although the scheduling (ok, and the amount I've had to drink) also has a bearing on all this...

I seem to remember a promise of fireworks (real as opposed to auditory) at some point and I'm sure the food, drink and general ambience will be F A N T A S T I C ...so a big thanks in advance, and I'm counting down to Fri.

Anyone know what time the first act is on?

BREAKING NEWS: 12Lve (Goldie's Band) to headline friday night at Musicport 2011

2011-06-10T21:40:00.003+01:00

‎We are very excited to announce that 12lve (Goldie's Band) are confirmed to headline Musicport 2011 on Friday the 4th of November.

12lve are a group of young people who have came together through the medium of a BBC series "Goldies Band" and flourished. Their music is inspiring and fresh. Their own personal stories are proof that your situation doesn't have to define who you are... For this group of 12 individuals it is obviously music which they choose to be defined by.

2011 Festival

2011-06-07T13:09:00.002+01:00

It's beginning to get exciting in the Musicport office.Tickets for 2011 are now on sale. Dates are 4-6 November

Artists confirmed so far include Hugh Masekela, Mari Boine, Mercedes Peon, Amsterdam Klezmer Band, Andy Kershaw, Kanda Bongo Man, Julaba Kunda, Deglulen, Mary Coughlan, Iain Matthews, Cigdem Aslan, Krar Collective and lots lots more
Some exciting new additions to the programming this year include a Friday night pyrotechnic extravaganza with a Salvador Dali theme (by NWSI) ... A performance by Ergo Phizmiz & his troupe of The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien ...An aeriel show by Urban Angels....and a Musicport book project by Route Publication & Ian Clayton that you will be encouraged to contribute to...

Starting to think about Musicport again

2010-07-02T06:44:00.005+01:00

Getting excited!

We've already had some of the small fliers for this years event which we are giving out left right and centre in the cafe. We're really looking forward to being associated with the festival again in a small way this year.

Seasalt & Passion is just on West Street, one street back from the Spa - about a minute's walk, that's all. Last year we held a cookery demonstration by Jean Binta Breeze, (above) which was wonderful! The cafe was packed, and everyone who attended had a great time. Hopefully this year Jim will let us host another workshop or demonstration.

Apart from this we are currently looking at menus for the Musicport weekend. Last year we had only been open a few weeks and already had tickets for the event, so the cafe was shut. This year though we want to stay open through Saturday and Sunday daytime to cater for all the Musicport lovelies coming into Brid. We're looking at things like currries, casseroles, falafal & fritters in pittas, tabuleh, salad boxes - that sort of thing, which can easily be taken out and eaten on the way back to the Spa (although you can always eat in the cafe too!)

Musicport brings a MASSIVE buzz to sleepy Bridlington, myself, family, friends and aquaintences all start talking about it really early and get more geed up as the weeks go by. I am really REALLY excited that Norma Waterson is making an appearence this year. The Waterson Family are my heros - some of the artists who very very influential in getting me passionate about Traditional music back in the 80s.

Also looking forward to Hut People again (Hope they are on in the evening!) who were SO fantastic last year. Also Imagined Village - WOW. Roll on October!

not just a festival ...

2010-05-10T17:55:00.005+01:00

Lovely start to the week - bright sunshine, and that warm feeling that comes after a really lovely event - we had a house concert at Lindhead Lodge (thank you Francis and Claudia!) with Geoff Berner, the most entertaining klezmer accordion player ... so much laughing and also food for thought, and his book(let) that made me weep with laughter, and fantabulous food from Dharma and lots of old and new friends, even though some we'd have liked to see couldn't be there ...
Now we're getting ready for a comedy night this Saturday - Ivan Brackenbury's Hospital Radio Remix show. This will be a new experience for me, but the publicity looks good and Neil at Hilarity Bites hasn't let us down with his bookings yet, so I'm looking forward to it. We certainly need a good laugh after last Thursday, though glimmerings of positive activity are currently on the radio.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a meeting tonight with our wonderful stall-meisterin Katy, who will, with any luck, make everything alright for everyone who wants a stall in October even though we've already got more applications than space!

It's all happening ...

2010-03-01T18:38:00.002Z

Well, it's been a long day (not just because it's Jim's birthday though he was awake very early with all the excitement!) - it looks like we're going to have to make a festival again, as we've sold way over the first 100 tickets - the hot-line really was hot this morning!
So many nice comments about the new website (thanks Gordon @ sneakytrick who's had very little sleep lately because of us), so many people who have had a great time in the past and just want it all to happen again ... and a few who couldn't make the paypal thing work -sorry if that was you, we've been trying our best but sometimes the technology just won't.
It's been great talking to people today who I feel I know a bit having checked the whole mailing list last week - funny how names and addresses stay with you if you've got the sort of warped mind I have.
Anyway, home for birthday tea - we've had the cake already, which means we can't eat that!

music & politics

2010-03-01T16:28:00.001Z

The young David Cameron apparently bounced around his dorm to Eton Rifles, and a long row broke out over his boyhood love of The Jam culminating in Weller asking "It's like, which bit didn't he get?”. Cameron’s colleague Nicolas Soames professed an admiration for Dido (although he might have been referring to the character in Purcell’s opera ) Andy Burnham erstwhile Culture secretary (by the way who’s got that job now?) is a big fan of The Wedding Present….Does this help us judge them as people we’d like to represent us in parliament ? I have to say I doubt it . All those musicians who openly supported Thatcher (Joan Armatrading , Sir Cliff, Gerry Halliwell, Phil Collins, Tony Hadley, Eric Clapton…….) & Blair ( Damon Albarn, Noel Gallagher Mick Hucknall …) & the Lib Dems (Eno & Fran Healey ..) do they really believe it did them or the country any good ? I think music if it has a part to play in the political life of the country is much better fighting against something e.g Rock Against Racism , Folk Against Fascism or by using political lyrics to make points (Joe Strummer, Billy Bragg, Leon Rosselson, Chumbawamba etc ). Free Nelson Mandela, Ghost Town , Strange Fruit, Stand Down Margaret, A Change Is Gonna Come, Masters Of War, Now That The Buffalo’s Gone still resonate today . Tony Benn is perhaps the only politician who has been able through his work with singer/songwriter Roy Bailey to really bridge that divide between real politics and music and should be treasured for that even if you don’t agree with his political views. Music is an honest expression of people feelings. Politics tends towards expressing what it thinks people want to hear . Allying oneself as a musician to a political party or a political leader is likely to end up with you being sullied by their inevitable failures and inability to speak honestly. Lets hope the celebrity element is taken out of the forthcoming election

Jim McLaughlin ( as printed in The Link magazine)

And finally....

2009-10-29T14:02:00.008Z

View from the North Sea Stage - almost worth going just for that...
Right, highlights & lowlights time....

My highlights were:
Jim Moray
The Bisserov Sisters
Samay
The Musicport Collective Jam
The Tibetan Monks

My lowlights were
Misty In Roots
Fernhill

I was disappointed in Misty in Roots - I could accept the bass even though it ripped your eardrums, but they haven't moved on an inch, and are now steady old fellers working their way through their set with little passion. and that's not good. Especially compared to artists on my highlights list.

Fernhill's set was cold, remote and apparently made up their set list on the spot. They may have been better in the more intimate setting of the Theatre, but they had a mighty build-up in the programme only to disappoint.

But with such a great choice, there are bound to be a few people who don't cut it on the day, and some who do.

A few observations:

Sound in the Main Hall was generally better this year
I've commented elsewhere on the improved food - clearly I mean Baghdad Johnny's. Value, taste, service, even though he was positioned at the end of a wind tunnel.
The actual programme booklet is fantastic - well worth the dosh, a credit to whoever produces it. I would LOVE to be able to buy it in advance so I could have a think about who I'm going to see.
I'd like to know if attendance is up or down on last year - looked about the same.

Can't resist one last pic of the Yellow Hat Tibetan Monks.

And a picture of a typical punter?
Yeah, right - THERE IS NO TYPICAL PUNTER AT MUSICPORT. That's one of the reasons it's great....

Musicport report - Sunday

2009-10-29T10:22:00.012Z

First of all, a big thank you to the man above. Not only did he and the team organise a fantastic festival, he even found the time to entertain us on Sunday morning with some self-penned songs.

Other good news - the food was good this year, and there was even a mystic cloakroom on the Ground Floor - sometimes it was there. Sometimes it wasn't.

Who was the mystery sax player in the Sunday morning music collective?

she was joined on stage by the stage manager, the sound man, and various others which proved what a multi-talented lot they all are.
Andy Cutting was one of the stars of that session though with a perfectly judged piece.

It's difficult to capture the spirit of the Tibetan Monks - but what a fascinating experience, against all expectations. McGrooger describes them as 'rum gadgers'. He may be right.

I don't know what the collective noun for a load of frozen Urban Gypsies is...but they certainly livened up the place, looked great, and did a bit of dancing.

One of tbe busiest sessions on Sunday was in the Theatre for Samay. I'm sure they thought it was wonderful to have a full house, and the music was good. However there was a bit of a scheduling glitch (or maybe it was a plan?) which meant there was nothing else on...anyway they were great.

2 Days and I'll be in Brid!

2009-10-20T14:48:00.002+01:00

Nine years ago, about this time to the day in fact, I was asked to help out at a music festival that was happening at the Spa in Whitby. I was 16. I think the technical term for my role was dogsbody.

Nine years later and I'm one of the stage managers and Musicport is a date on my calendar that I'd hate to miss. I rarely get a chance to see an artist's entire set - I catch moments here and there - but I love that a single day can can take you on a whirlwind tour or worldwide musical genres and leave you falling asleep, sat on a massive speaker, with the sound guys pointing and laughing. I think it's safe to say that Musicport is a hidden gem. If you don't believe me or think I'm biased, come along and see for yourself

See you all soon and Enjoy the festival!

Musicport Memories

2009-10-18T11:19:00.000+01:00

So the tenth festival is nearly upon us and I am drinking coffee and thinking vaguely about packing which seems as good a time as any to reflect on some of the amazing things I've been lucky enough to see and hear at Musicport over the last ten years.

I think the one moment that stands above everything for me in terms of intensity and significance was introducing 'Ustad Mahwash and Ensemble Kaboul' in 2003. The journey Mahwash and her musicians had taken from conservative Afghanistan, via poisoning, exile and asylum to our stage was inconcievable to most of us and a mere 'ladies and gentlemen please welcome...' was always going to be inadequate.

I'm going to list the rest of my stand out moments below, it would be great to hear everyone elses top moments, so do add your comments!

Talvin Singh - not a universal choice, but right up there in my memories
Buena Vista Social Club and being kissed on the cheek by the sadly missed Cachaito Lopez
Mostar Sevdah Reunion and Ljiljana Buttler
Danny Thompson in the green room 'it's good 'ere innit'
The countless late bands ringing up 'oh, I thought it was in Whitley Bay'
Sansaar the definite highlight of the first festival, bhangra, duffel coats and vodka!
Los De Abajo taking Musicport by storm in 2002 and 2005
My compering from a shrubbery for the UK Chinese Ensemble
Sidi Goma, surely the best opening yet?
Norma Waterson's beautiful and moving speech in 2001
Nuru Kane and the Bayefall Gnawa: I think everyone was a little bit in love with him.
Breakfast at The Royal Hotel, Whitby with The McGarrigles and Liljiana Buttler
Deckchairs on the roof in Bridlington.

I could go on and on and on, so I shall stop now and wait to hear your Musicport memories and moments.

See you Friday, don't forget to book your tickets!

Kate x

All very exciting

2009-10-08T13:54:00.002+01:00

This will be a busy year for me as not only will I be looking after the main stage introducing the acts along with the lovely Kate Longmate but I will also be performing with my trio (Me with Jude and Neil from Chumbawamba). That's at 12 noon on Saturday and we will do a mix of my stuff along with the songs of the wonderful late great Lal Waterson. Then I finish off in the theatre on Sunday night (before dashing back to the main stage for the final round up with kate) with Maalstroom. They are a lovely Dutch band who played Musicport last year and to mark their 10th anniversary asked to do a collaboration with me. We have done one gig so far which was a festival in Holland 'Folkwoods'. We made the Dutch national press when they described us as the 'surprise highlight of the festival'.
That apart I am looking forward to listening to familar and non familiar music and spending all my money on Cds that I never knew I needed until Musicport began. Every year is like that. There are some welcome returns and some fabulous surpirses. My highlight will be different for yours but it will be full of them. Can't wait, see you there.

How can I become an author?

2009-10-07T22:24:00.000+01:00

If you want to join us and blog your way through Musicport, you need to to be added as an 'author' simply send an email to musicportblog@hotmail.co.uk and then follow the instructions in the email invitation you receive. It may take us a little while to respond to requests, but we will add you as soon as we can!

If you simply want to comment on pictures and stories already posted, you can do so by clicking on the word 'comments' at the bottom of each post.

It's nearly festival time!

2009-10-07T21:49:00.002+01:00

Well, it's nearly upon us, the tenth Musicport! How can that be? I remember the first, I was living in Dublin at the time and it felt very glamorous to me back then to fly in for a festival! I'm sure it can't be ten years ago because I was 24 then and I'm only.... oh.

Since then I have travelled in from many locations, (this year I'll be coming from Edinburgh!) and in several different guises, there have been joyous triumphant festivals and festivals with difficult resonances and sadly missed friends (we haven't forgotten you Fif), festivals in beautiful Whitby, festivals against the odds and now, for the second year, festivals in Bridlington... but, (and you'll notice the ever so subtle theme here), there has always been a festival.

Musicport is a special and lovely beast and this year it will unfold again in it's own unique way. Some of the performers are old friends making a welcome tenth anniversary return and some are new to us, but the one thing that's certain is that they will suprise, delight and entertain us. Every year we are transported and moved by the stories and journeys of those that grace the stages and there are usually some stageside tears as well as lots of laughter and the odd wee drinkie!

So don't miss out, it's ten years old this festival we love and sure to be a bit of a party, tickets are still available at http://www.musicportfestival.com or by calling 0845 373 2760

Nitin Sawhney, Misty In Roots, Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara, Chumbawamba, African Jazz Allstars, The Tashi Lhunpo Monks, Rory McLeod, Jean Binta Breeze and Jim Moray are just a few of the amazing acts you can see over the weekend, right by the sea but with all the benefits of a state of the art indoor venue (no festival toilets here!) what's not to like?

See you in Brid'.... x

2009 Dates

2008-11-06T12:30:00.003Z

2009 is the 10th anniversary of Musicport, so the festival promises to be extra special! Those all important dates are: 23rd, 24th and 25th October 2009... watch this space for news as it breaks!

I am still gathering photos from this year's festival and will put a lovely slideshow up here soon! Kate x

Musicport '08 Time Lapse

2008-10-28T16:39:00.005Z

Hello all,

I'm hoping that everyone is now recovered from the festival and looking forward to next year! Rather than carry my camera everywhere, and inevitably forgetting that I had it, at the festival this year, I decided to set up a static camera overlooking the main stage. So here we have it, the whole festival, 10 seconds at a time! If you're like me, you won't want to sit in silence for the whole 10 minutes (I did say it was the whole festival!). Take my advice, que up a few of your favourite tracks and press play... see you all next year, Rob

It's a Small World

2008-10-22T13:31:00.003+01:00

I run an art gallery in Old Town, Bridlington (the arts quarter - Bridlington's 'hidden gem') and when I was stewarding on the door on Friday night, the owner of the next gallery up from us walked in. The same evening I saw the lady from the framers a bit further up and had a chat with her. On Saturday night I found myself sat next to the manager of another gallery in Old Town, then on Sunday the owner of that same gallery walked in for the evening session.

It was great to see all my friends and colleagues from the arty end of town at Musicport supporting the festival and enjoying the music. I have had a good chinwag with some of them about the weekend and everyone's in agreement that the festival was a roaring success. We have swapped notes as to who we liked and didn't like so much etc. We all have a cameraderie up here in the Old Town anyway, and it's a lovely feeling to think we are all pulling in the same direction and will all support, encourage and promote the festival in the coming years.

Convoy

2008-10-21T09:56:00.004+01:00

Three vehicles laden with all our gear finally made it back from Bridlington late yesterday afternoon.....I still haven't found my lost voice or my jacket... lots of sorting out to be done today
- nice review on Efestivals and Charlie Gillet's "Sound Of The World" site (by Jamie Renton) and this one that we think will be in Scarborough Evening News & Bridlington Free press

MUSICPORT, the country’s biggest indoor world-music festival, made a smooth transfer from Whitby Pavilion to Bridlington Spa at the weekend.

Australian legend Rolf Harris, Malian kora maestro Toumani Diabaté and the Levellers headlined the ninth annual event, which migrated south for a bigger venue.

The move appears to have paid off, according to co-director Sue McLaughlin, who estimated that the biggest audience of the weekend was between 1,300 and 1,400, for the Levellers. Whitby Pavilion, where the festival had been staged for the previous eight years, could hold only 1,000 people.

“It was a really positive start to build on and we are sure we will go from strength to strength in Bridlington,” said Mrs McLaughlin.

“We’ve had loads of positive comments from audience members about how the atmosphere of Musicport came with us and we are delighted with the way the venue worked.”

Most people found the new venue - which recently reopened after a £23m refurbishment - very comfortable and family-friendly.

Besides Harris, Diabaté and the Levellers, highlights included an Indian trio led by blind sitar virtuoso Baluji Shrivastav, whose dramatic soundscapes resembled a locomotive which built up steam slowly, gathering to a thundering crescendo.

Dramatic Palestinian powerhouse Reem Kelani and Portuguese fadista Liana (Reem also ran one of several workshops) one of Saturday’s biggest hits.

There was a strong Bulgarian presence on Sunday, when the 17-piece London Bulgarian Choir aroused a hung-over audience with a vigorous, spine-tingling and slightly raunchy performance. With an equally stunning rendition of a Bulgarian blessing, six choristers capped a humanist wedding service in the afternoon, in a room beautifully adorned by the Cloudbase collective.

The happy couple trouped into the main arena between two lines of guests and stewards just before Ivo Papasov and his Wedding Band started playing. They joined circle-dance leader Karen Michaelson to lead a long chain of people in a dizzying 20-minute sidestep which spiralled around the dancefloor in front of the stage.

It was a memorable weekend for all concerned.

The 10th Musicport will be at Bridlington Spa on 23-25 October 2009.

In the meantime, Musicport will run a world-music stage at Scarborough’s Coastival festival from 13-15 February.

Goodbye, Hello and Thanks

2008-10-21T09:34:00.005+01:00

So first of all a big thank you to all the organisers and artistes for a wonderful Musicport festival. We had a great time and intend telling as many people as poss. to come next year.

It's probably unfair to mention highlights and lowlights, but I will anyway....

The highlights for us were:

Toumani Diabate - and his very distinguished band.
Baluji Shrivastav
Etran Finatawa & the Bridlington schoolkids - was this one of the sessions recorded for R3?
Bob Brozman
Young Coppers
Mitch Benn - an inspired booking, so good we went to see him twice
The Kathakali Theatre company

Special mentions have to go to:

Jim Eldon. Especially for a couple of his tracks - I will Survive (the Vampire version) and There's a Puffin in my Pint. It's a true story y'know. Oh yes, he had a real live pirate playing in the band with him
Also the Alleycats were great.Sadly their Myspace page is virtually unreadable due to mad flashing images. But that Polly will go a long way.
Laye Sow - not just another great Senegalese musician, not just Baaba Maal's cousin but someone who won the audience over from the very first song. And what a shame they weren't allowed to do an encore (yes, I know time is tight but sometimes if you want to get a good vibe going you do have to make exceptions. difficult if you are into control I guess)

Lowlights:

Ivo Paposov - a pretty bad tempered set from him. A lot of the sound problems were imaginary I think.....but I wouldn't want him at any wedding of family and friends I was involved with unless it was the sort of event that was going to end up with a fight in the carpark. Thanks but no thanks Ivo.
There does seem to be a problem with the acoustics in the Main Hall at the Spa. We stayed with friends who tell us that this affects other people too. Bass got distorted, artistes can't hear the sound coming back from their speakers. This did seem to affect a few bands, and was certainly noticeable from the floor, but hopefully the sound crew can fix this next time...there will be a next time won't there?
Generally the logistics were good. Somewhere to store coats (called by many people a cloakroom) would have been really good. And what were all those stewards doing? but they were pretty helpful.
The food was not that special. I suspect the Spa management weren't too keen to have other people selling food and it does pose certain problems for an indoor venue. Maybe you could persuade some celebrity chefs to take over in the kitchen next time?
The Spa is an OK building - but it's a bit municipal. It would have been great if the lovely flags wafting about outside could somehow have been replicated somehow inside.

There is precious little of this kind of music this far up North so this festival is much appreciated.

And thanks again for all the hard work that went into this.

We Don't Like Mondays

2008-10-20T15:28:00.002+01:00

Well, I'm home now and I hurt! But, what a fabulous weekend... Musicport was a huge success in it's new home and we're all looking forward to 2009 already.

It turns out that having a live blog run by the stage crew wasn't necessarily practical, but we have all the photos and the (publishable!) anecdotes and over the next week we will get them all up here and let you in on the goings on stage side.

Right, I'm off for a hot bath and a lie down in a darkened room... Kate x

OUCH!

2008-10-20T08:13:00.002+01:00

Well I ache in places I didn't know I had places! 49 after Christmas and I danced two solid hours to the Outernationalists last night. Add to that the two previous late nights also ......

Bleugh!!!!

Highlight of yesterday though, Mike Waterson, Norma Waterson & Martin Carthy. Not a concert as such but a showing of their Travelling For A Living film made in the 60s with a Q&A session afterwards. As a big fan of the Waterson Carthy lot I was obviously looking forward to this, however I learned an awful lot that I didn't know before about this wonderful singing family.

This weekend has marked for me, a bit of a 'First day of the rest of your life' type of scenario. So I feel a little bit funny this morning - liberated sort of. (Recently came out of a 15 year marriage so learning to live by myself, please myself and not have to justify my likes, dislikes and decisions. It's wonderful!). Thankfully don't have to go back to work till tomorrow so can catch up with sleep and get all me washing & shopping done and stuff :-)

What a weekend it's been thoug all in all .....

I have never felt such a buzz in Bridlington, (cos they're all very 'can't be bothered' here you know.) Thank you SO much to Jim and Sue and ALL the folks who organised this fabulous event. I for one will definitely be coming again and plugging the event like crazy to everyone I know round here in the meantime, mark my words.

THANKS MUSICPORT FOR THE BEST WEEKEND IN YEARS!!!!!!!!

Two Days Down - One To Go

2008-10-19T09:02:00.004+01:00

Well I must have led a sheltered life these last few years ... two late nights on the trot and I'm fupped!!!!

Well what a tremendous couple of days though. Highlights for me so far? The Hut People, Mitch Ben, Reem Kelani & Liana and of course Ska Cubano - WHAT a blast they were! My 13 year old daughter's raving about them. Levellers were good too, mind, particularly the section with the Didgeridoo accompanyment.

I've got a bit of a banging head this morning though. Being used to only a healthy diet, I had chips & curry sauce on Friday night (eugh!) Fish and chips for dinner, and MACDONALDS for tea yesterday (double yeuch!!!) so I think the lack of fruit and veg is catching up with me. I haven't been drinking, so it's deffo lack of vitamins I am suffering from this morning. As I only live round the corner from the Spa I am determined to come home and eat properly today (despite my darling daughter's protestations.)

Anyway, better drag myself to the bathroom as I am stewarding again this morning. Thankfully my shift this afternoon means I have the evening free so am really looking forward to seeing Rolf Harris.

Sunrise on Musicport

2008-10-18T11:46:00.003+01:00

It was early, we got to bed late and apparently a picture says a thousand words......

Leopard Skin Carpet!

2008-10-17T22:33:00.001+01:00

My Bridlington B&B has very exotic carpet!

Where did Friday go?

2008-10-17T22:28:00.000+01:00

The first night of the festival has drawn to a close on the main stage, it's been fabulous and we'll catch up with pictures of all the artists later, but as we head into the Cloudbase club room here's a shot of the Levellers from stage side...

Buses and Barriers

2008-10-17T13:23:00.000+01:00

4pm and The Levellers and the crowd barrier arrive...

Roll On The Weekend

2008-10-17T12:50:00.002+01:00

Well time's dragging today. Can't wait till the weekend ... till tonight!

It's quite quiet in the Gallery today, so every minute seems like an hour. Can't wait to get to my first festival in Brid. OK - I will be working some of the time, but just being able to breathe in the Festival atmosphere will do me the power of good.

I'm having my first day off work in 6 months tomorrow - just can't take time off when you're the boss :-( - so it will be sheer luxury having a Saturday off. Hoping to meet some wonderful new friends at Bridport and to get me ears round some great music.

Sand Castles!

2008-10-17T12:11:00.000+01:00

A spot of pre festival sand castle building right outside the venue!

The Hoisting of the Logo!

2008-10-17T11:17:00.000+01:00

2pm and the logo proudly takes centre stage!

Andy Cutting's son loves Phil Collins... Allegedly

2008-10-17T11:00:00.003+01:00

Here is young Alfie Cutting boogieing (spelling?) to the rather disturbing soundtrack of Phil Collins currently being used to test the sound rig... we will be having words with HPSS about their taste in music before next year!

First post from the festival!

2008-10-17T09:23:00.002+01:00

Ok, so it's not quite a festival yet, but there are people milling around and being industrious. The race is on to have everything ready in just 7 hours time.... I feel like I'm on Challenge Anika! All we need now is a blonde in a jumpsuit... See you all soon!

11am Update

2008-10-17T08:05:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I'm not the blonde in a jumpsuit Rob was hoping for, but I am here! Here's the main hall at the moment! K x

The Exodus Has Begun

2008-10-16T17:28:00.002+01:00

It's a good job there isn't a toll road between Whitby and Bridlington! As Jim says below, two van loads left Whitby last night, several more have gone today and I have it on good authority that Folk Devils CD stall and the catering department are just about packed and ready to go. The juggernaut leaves Sandgate shortly! I'm not leaving until tomorrow morning so am currently surrounded by piles of clothes, shoes and various accessories trying to make those all important 'what to wear' for the stage decisions... still, I have managed to dye my roots and arrange a Guinea Pig sitter so progress is being made. Things I have to remember include display boards, ground cumin and an Ikea cheese grater... it's going to be some festival!

The calm before ...

2008-10-15T18:14:00.012+01:00

why's the logo turned blue???

I have now put link to this blog on front page of festival website.

Well the T shirts have arrived & the programmes ... & the wristbands...........and 2 vehicles have now gone to Bridlington laden with gear & have unloaded at The Spa- our internet connections are now working again- thanks BT you really know how to reduce our stress levels!
The Antiques Roadshow should be clear of the building 9.30pm tomorrow allowing us to sttart preparations in the building 8am Friday!

Noticed a couple of typos in programme -how many times did we check it??? it now looks as though the Bulgarian Singing workshop starts at 11.30 pm and finishes at 12.30pm on Sunday (instead of 11.30am-12.30pm) & a there are couple of late cancellations- The Bad Idea Printing Press ( who lost a group of volunteers) & Hundred Man Orchestra ......

Otherwise all looking good .......and we've arranged good weather - well only 20% risk of rain on Saturday and for low tide to be at lunchtime on both days... so you can dip your feet in the warm waters of Bridlington Bay

Jim

A Sea of CDs

2008-10-15T13:31:00.003+01:00

Well here we are at folkdevils mansions surrounded by boxes and packaging and exuding an air of mild panic but most of all looking forward to this year's festival. New town, new venue, new people in the audience and some great music. Too many good acts to pick out a particular one to recommend but Reem Kelani is a must see, especially after her stirring and emotional performance last time she was at Musicport. Back to it then, see you there.

Jim McLaughlin Speaking about Musicport '08 on BBC Radio 5

2008-10-15T03:55:00.008+01:00

As my first post I thought I'd give those of you with an interest... I guess that's most people... Another chance to hear Jim's Interview on Radio 5's 'Up all Night' show. Enjoy!

Interview - Part 1 (Download)

Interview - Part 2 (Download)

Breath Of Fresh Air

2008-10-14T19:34:00.002+01:00

Hi all,

I'm Gail and I will be one of the stewards at the Musicport this weekend. It's many years since I have done stewarding, but I am really looking forward to the whole atmosphere of the festival.

In Bridlington apathy tends to rule, so it's a wonderful thing that we are getting the festval ... just hope we can hold onto it! (And maybe build on it, and maybe even have a Folk festival in the future too - you never know.) Fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed. Hopefully the whole of Brid will get behind the festival and make it a weekend to remember.

On a personal note, I have had an 'eighteen months from hell' so I am almost bursting with anticipation and excitement over this weekend. It will be like a breath of fresh air for me at a time when 'if it can go wrong it DOES go wrong'. Unless I fall and break me neck of course! Hopefully I WILL still be upright on Friday !?!?!?!?!

Anyway, good luck to all concerned. This will be my first Musicport .... and I can't wait!

Catering Operation Underway!

2008-10-14T19:02:00.001+01:00

Every year at Musicport the artists are well looked after by Sue Longmate and her hospitality team, all the food is home cooked and as you can see from the tray of piping hot blue cheese and apple rolls pictured above, Sue is already into the swing of things!

Bus Trip to see The Levellers

2008-10-14T15:31:00.002+01:00

Any Whitby or Scarborough blog readers who can't make it to the whole festival but fancy a trip out can catch the magic bus to Bridlington to see one of the festival's headline acts – The Levellers – on Friday.

The bus leaves Langborne Road at 7.30pm and returns from Bridlington at 12.30am, stopping in Scarborough en-route.Tickets are priced £30 which includes admission to see The Levellers and return bus travel. For details or to book ring (0845) 3732760.

5 Live!

2008-10-10T20:08:00.003+01:00

Hey, Jim's on 5 Live tonight talking about Musicport! You only have to wait up till 1.00-1.30 for him - all those of you coming away from the Pride of Whitby Awards will no doubt be tuning in ... or there's always Listen Again over the cappuccino in the morning ...

Bridlington Spa

2008-10-10T10:55:00.016+01:00

These pictures show Bridlington Spa promenade, ballroom and theatre in it's 1930's heyday, and this Youtube animation gives you an idea of just how extensive the recent refurbishment has been and the spaces you can expect at Musicport '08: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvxiZVeZQ7I

Lost the plot?

2008-10-09T22:42:00.002+01:00

Mind – what mind?? Mine went several weeks ago – but you’ll all be pleased to hear (ok probably totally uninterested!) that we now have a stewards rota, well several actually and quite a juggling act that has proved to be – try placing 75 people into different time slots, in locations where you think they’ll be needed, with the people they’d like to work alongside, with not too many early shifts & not too many late shifts and all ending up with a similar number of hours…….. Ok now you know why I’ve lost the plot!
But if I’m honest I love it all and I can’t wait to get there either if only to see Kate hanging off a wall in high heels and glitter trying to get mobile signal!..........
Sue x

One week and counting!

2008-10-08T23:50:00.002+01:00

And as my fellow compere is trying to put the festival out of her mind, (see below), I find I am incapable of thinking of anything else... proof reading the programme the other night made me hugely nostalgic for past festivals, but really really ready for this one! I shared a cold chip or three (oh the glamour) with Jim and Sue earlier tonight, and despite the inevitable 'one week to go' stresses and the challenges a new venue brings, the excitement and anticipation of everyone involved is now palpable.
I am very excited too about 'live blogging' the festival and am hoping it works over the weekend... though, if the mobile signal at Bridlington Spa is anything like the one in Whitby I will be regularly found standing on walls, roofs, cliff tops and any other vantage point I can find waving my phone like a mad woman and desperately trying to post here by email...
What I am looking forward to most though is having the team back together for our yearly outing. I can't wait to catch up with everyone and get started... In the meantime I shall try and concentrate on the important pre festival questions such as: Is it a good idea to try and wear the very high heels on a stage with steps? Who will feed the Guinea Pigs while I am away in Bridlington? Roses or glitter for the opening night? And, just exactly how will I concentrate on anything else for the next week? Kate x

Inside the mind of Musicport Staff

2008-10-07T10:56:00.001+01:00

Ah................................... sorry what mind.
Musicport, yes the highlight of the year, is about to be upon us. So what happens to me in the run up to Musicport. Firstly, Jim sends through biographies of all artists, this is so Kate and I don't sound like complete idiots when announcing people. I still manage to sound like an idiot from time to time when the brain goes dead or the mouth dries up, dress tucked into your knickers, blouse undone, unintended double entendres, intended double entendres etc . (I cried on stage once at the festival. tell you about that later) Also, this is a document which we have to have on tap because as the weekend progresses the old grey matter becomes more and more numb.
Having downloaded the biogs I then ignore Musicport for as long as I can get away with it because as soon as I start thinking about it I get this exciting feeling in the pit of my stomach, You know the type that keeps you awake at night. I can't afford that too many days in advance as sleep is not high on the agenda at Musicport.
So what goes on in my mind..........I'll let you know when I've found it.
Come and talk to us there it's lovely to meet people. Jo

What's all this about then?

2008-10-07T10:20:00.001+01:00

We thought a blog would be a fun way to record the festival and a way to have an interactive memoir by festival staff, performers and audience... we intend (mobile and internet signals pending!) to bring you live photos and coverage of the festival as it unfolds and if you are there you are welcome to join in!

We will probably add more and post reflections after the event too and we hope that people will join us and share their photos and memories, creating a record that we can all look back on in the run up to the 2009 festival!