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As part of the superb Trans festival, the Oh Yeah music centre plays host to Northern Ireland’s first dedicated music industry trade show this Friday: Music Mart 2008.
Entrance for non-exhibitors is free. Tea, coffee and refreshments will be provided.
Some of the companies currently exhibiting include:
Smalltown America Records
Prince’s Trust Sound Live
Easy Duplication
Graham Smith Photography
Bruised Fruit Promotions
Alternative Ulster magazine
Webrom TV
White Mountain Music
Back Beat Records
Start Together Recording Studio
SwarmTribes
Livewebstars
I will also be there to talk about my own work. Feel free to say come along and say hi between 6pm and 10pm.
12:03am. Ash are 3/4 through their set, and are in good form. It’s been a great day, the weather was good and so many musicians in the one place enjoying the lively atmosphere ad great music.
Back to 3/4 through Ash’s set and Paddy Glasgow has noticed a disabled man by the fence left of the stage. He goes to him and, after failing to get him through the doubled up barrier, meets him at the backstage entrance and tells him to sit at the front barrier, spitting distance from Tim Wheeler.
This is how Paddy does things - Small but Massive.
A festival with a human side. A great vibe from everyone and the best of Northern Irish music (with the odd band from South of the border). The crowd is happy. The bands are happy, and things just run smoothly.
It is a festival to be proud of. A festival which has only grown since its birth in 2000, and has many years of life in it still. It is a festival with a difference. Concentrating on the smaller, unsigned acts, the cream of the crop of Northern Irish music - and there’s plenty of it.
One large stage and three packed tents. Great music pounding the ears from every direction. Of course a day like this produces “highlights” and “best moments” for all, but for me its always a tough call. Oppenheimer have continued to better their stage performance, now becoming a bit of a ‘family show’ with silly string, shouts of “ready team-oppenheimer”, which doesn’t really work, and on-stage banter. But their music is happy. It provokes a smile, and they perform it well.
Boathouse, even minus a drummer, manage to get a packed tent dancing to their tunes, including the great new song which they opened with as a way of drawing in the crowd. It was a good move, as it worked.
Nobody appreciates stupidity and ignorance from fellow gig-goers, least of all Cahir O’Doherty. It wasn’t the highlight of Fighting With Wire’s set, though when he yelled abuse and threats of turning the beer throwing to fist throwing outside after the show, it made everyone stand up straight, if only for a minute, before they got back to rocking out. But no one dared throw anything else on the stage.
Their performance, however, was every bit as tight as every other live gig they have done - if not more-so. An energy, volume and connection between each other that projected well in their combined sound. They have had a great year, and it shows, yet they still have that rock and roll arrogance necessary to get by.
The band’s album ‘Man Vs Monster’ has been out for a while now, though I still haven’t got a copy, I have been more convinced each time I have seen them recently. This was the final straw. Admittedly, this isn’t it the sort of music I currently listen to often, then again I don’t go to classical concerts either. This is the music I love the see live. The energy the carries throughout the crowd and back again.
It was either their first or second gig when I first saw …And So I Watch You From Afar in Auntie Annies. I was blown away then, and still am today as they only improve on an already impressive sound. A prog rock/metal band in belfast - perfect! And so they played a blinder of a set on the main stage, each of them looking like he enjoyed the greatest 45min orgasm. They were happy. As they rocked as hard as they could, the term ‘headless chickens’ comes to mind.
Ash, the band who’s music I knew the least, though now know much better and have greater respect for. They were surprisingly heavy live than I had expected, though it probably doesn’t help that the album I have listened to most is ‘Free All Angels’. They did indeed rock the stage, played the classics and generally sounded pleased to be there and from NI.
I am proud to be from Northern Ireland at times like this. The music is something to be proud of.
As usual, more photographs on flickr.
I posted plenty of link-filled entries last year, back when my camera was being repaired, but it didn’t last too long, and although I mean to do it again occasionally, it’s another of those things I can’t seem to get round to. Today, however, Damien set a challenge for others to post fluffy links, so here goes.
Meet Podington Bear. A bear with great music and a free album.
The story of the Fail Whale
BlogNI showcases Northern Irish Bloggers. There are some good blogs here believe it or not.
Some interesting information about Flickr, its API and copyright infringment.
The rebranded Belfast Logo is a sham!
The new 15 Second Film Festival website.
Ultimate Fail Threadless tee
Hollywood sex isn’t real. This is how it would look.
Matt is a well travelled guy. The music is especially good.
The only thing I need to do this more often is a name for the links. Fluffy is taken. How about Fluffier? Fluffiest?
This morning I woke up tired as usual, but please with the events of the night before; a great meal with some friendly people and that very long, but truly great film, The Fiddler on the Roof.
Upon quickly checking my mail before leaving for work this morning I found that I had received an award in the early hours.
Indeed I have been given an award by Grannymar for “creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community.” Awards don’t happen often, and when they do they are to be treasured, and placed in my virtual award cabinet. My award, from Grannymar, is special two-fold. Firstly, to be given an award for any reason by Grannymar makes me feel very special, but then to be the only of her Toyboys to receive one, gives me even greater pleasure.
Grannymar, whose great personality and creative writing has be laughing on an almost daily basis, is willing to try almost anything; podcasting, photography, attending tech events, cooking, and of course hilarious jokes. Subscribe to Grannymar join the fun.
Something about there being a catch… being one of those bloggers who tags everyone else and tries to get them to post a meme/list/favouritism contest thing. But for Grannymar…
- Pick five blogs that you consider deserve the award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also for contributing to the blogging community, no matter what language.
- Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
- Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
- The award winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of the Arte y Pico blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award
Donncha at Inphotos (and Holy Shmoly for the tech stuff) is a very talented photographer whose photographs of Cork are partly what inspired my own trip there a couple of weeks ago, as well as being in the know with Wordpress.
Since discovering Darren Greene’s blog after a meetup in Dublin a few months ago I have checked out his photos ever since and always loving each one. The animal shots of late are supurb!
Another photographer who I first met at a recent meetup is Nathalie who shares a blog with Eoghan at Casa Casa Courtney. I admire each of her photographs and some great writing in the mix also.
Moving away from the photographers for a bit (its really hard!), and bringing things to a more local level is Manuel the Waiter. Manuel is a waiter in Belfast. He likes it, to an extent. His writing has a constant air of humour, yet bitterness at the same time. Always a good read.
Finally, a photographer who, like Grannymar, has almost brought a tear to my eye recently with her pics of a newborn baby. Claire, aka Gingerpixel, inspires me with her portraits, she has a great eye and a talent for approaching people in the street for photograph. They always turn out great.
There are plenty more. Some I haven’t even read. But these are just a few of my favs.
What does the future hold for photography?
The panel attempted to answer this question at the Waterfront Hall last Thursday as part of TransBelfast.
Adam Turkington was joined by two representatives from Belfast Exposed, Ciara Chambers (Archive Manager) and Pauline Hadaway (Director), who spent far too long talking about their super archive of photographs rather than contributing much to the topic at hand as well as trying to tell us about the benefits of the social internet for sharing photographs.
Alongside them Hugh Russell, former Olympic Boxer, now acting editor of the Irish Times who suddenly gave me all these great ideas that I can become a photojournalist, that it’s not hard to get into… [or not].
Moochin Photoman, AKA, John Baucher, a local photographer with his finger on the pulse around Belfast and a good knack of being in the right place at the right time, he likes to experiment with various techniques such as his latest project; TtV (Through the Viewfinder), with an exhibition planned around this theme.
Finally, flown in from London, Pennie Smith of The Clash’s London Calling album cover fame, with an apparent bitterness towards the Internet and little desire to turn to digital, still clutching her rolls of film.
As an audience of digital photographers sat on, listening to the speakers preaching that skills in the darkroom are essential and how not enough images are printed these days I ended up really thinking what the future does hold for photography?
Should I just give up now?
More thoughts later in the week.
The photographs by Gingerpixel, Andy, Mark Leetch, Moochin Photoman, Red Mum, Alan in Belfast and myself will be on display on the second floor of the Waterfront Hall until 10th August 2008
The first time I heard of the Photo365 project it reminded me only of my photoblog, and as I first had a slight misunderstanding of the project, I thought to myself that was something I tried to do - and failed. My original idea was that a photograph had to be posted online (flickr/blog) on the day it was taken. Turns out that’s not true. Which is why I have decided to give it a go.
But rather start on a random day of the year, or January the first, I have decided to start today - my 23rd birthday; the date I consider to be the most important in the calendar-year.
It will be tough as I don’t do exciting things everyday. But who does really? However, I have watched Andy successfully attempt this over the last 6 months and enjoyed the progress. With photos ranging from his girlfriend, books, plans, lists, me, gigs, himself, mac, iphone, friends, xbox, donuts etc.
And so begins a year of this. A photo every day. Many will be very boring, but I will do my best.
First photo is indeed from yesterday, my birthday. It was a quiet day, spent mostly watching family guy, until a few friends came round to my place in the evening. They had balloons and a banner, which they insisted on attempting to hang on the wall, (inside and out). We had burgers and beer; chilled out and music.
A good day. Here’s to 365 more!
I have to make my plan soon for the Trans Festival. It looks like the first event I will attend, however, will be ‘Add to Set’, a photographic exhibition in the Waterfront Hall (Top floor Gallery) on Thursday 17th July.
‘Add to Set’, will be a celebration of the quantity and quality of Belfast based photo blogs and photographers. Opened by the legendary Rock Photographer Pennie Smith, (the genius behind the Clash’s “London calling” Album cover) the exhibition will be open to everyone and anyone to visit, Launching on the 17th July until the 10th of August.
Various technological advances in the last few years have enabled anyone with a camera to share their photography with the world. Some might argue that this has lead to a devaluing of the art form; however we believe quite the opposite.
The exhibition will show both in physical and digital form, photographic works from of some of Belfast’s best photographers, along with a seminar from Pennie Smith and a launch with refreshments provided.
Some of my images will be on display at this, and for those who cannot make it I will put the images online on Friday.
Add to Set
Launches Thursday 17th July, 7pm
Waterfront Hall, Belfast (map)
If a group of people want to celebrate an achievement, by parading through the streets in costumes and playing music that’s fine, to a point, however, problems arise when these celebrations get out of hand, preventing normality for everyone else.
I have no problem with it all - heck I get a couple of days off work. I do however have a problem being intimidated as I attempt to keep from being prisoner in my own home; kids walking by with their trolleys filled with beer, police beside them, smiling. Then they call it “peaceful”. From my experience it isn’t very peaceful. And if the police could cut out the biggest factor which makes it so intolerable; the alcohol intake, the level of intimidation could be reduced, made much less of a problem in fact.
Maybe the “Orangefest” could become an event were people of all backgrounds don’t have to be kept indoors. More shops are opening. And bars, namely Madisons on Botanic Avenue, who state that they are “open as usual” - there could be others, though I’m not sure which.
It’s something. It’s a start. Soon the whole of Northern Ireland will no longer have to stand still on this one day of the year where everyone wants for something different.
(some more photographs of parades here)
The weather was good, and bad at the same time. When it wasn’t raining it was sunny and warm. I arrived in Cork City with no idea what to expect, pleasantly surprised to find that Cork is essentially an island surrounded by two river channels. I also haven’t been to a new city in Ireland in many years.
Having left Belfast early Friday morning, my brother Chris and I headed to La Pizza on O’Connell Street when we arrived in Dublin for the worst pizza ever before taking my first trip on the Luas to Heuston Station.
We arrived in Cork city at about 7pm and arrived at Lotamore House shortly thereafter via €7 cab.
That evening we flicked through the 3 out of 4 english speaking channels. It wasn’t on again the rest of the weekend. After browsing the net for info on the city we took a recommendation from Damien and headed to Zaks for dinner. The restaurant was quiet, though it was late and they were closing soon after we left. The food, however, was great; my chicken was tasty and chris’ burger was the best he had ever had apparently. My new top choice for desert is apple pie. In restaurants it is always thick, warm, soft, apple-filled goodness. with a scoop of sweet ice cream.
The following morning, after one of the worst coffees ever, we left the guest house and walked into the city centre through the reported 90% humidity. Having learnt the night before that the Oliver Plunket Street/St Patrick’s Street that is where we started. Whilst there Chris bought a new pair of sunglasses, followed shortly after by the purchase of an umbrella. 15mins later this, there was a loud crash of thunder, followed by the scream of nearby girls to make it all the more dramatic. Soon after the heavies rain ever fell upon the city. We hid inside Zavvi.
Taken just after a crash of thunder, and just before the heaviest rain ever. This was the closest thing at the time
Once the rain stopped we met up with Donncha and Damien and headed to the Newport where we met Donal. After a drink and Wordpress stickers we headed to the top of a carpark where we could see the whole of cork. All of it.
Donncha and Chris
Dinner was at Proby’s Bistro and it was great. I also had my first pint of Cork Beer that evening. When I asked for a pint of Guinness I was surprised to find that they didn’t do Guinness, but they did have a drink called Beamish, brewed just around the corner, and more surprised to find that it tasted amazing. Maybe better than Guinness itself! Now its that’s not a compliment to Cork I don’t know what is!
After dinner we took a walk through UCC with Donal before heading to his house for some Wii madness - Mario Kart is difficult!
University College Cork
On Sunday we checked out of the guesthouse. If you want to stay outside the city centre, it was a nice enough place, except for the coffee - that was rotten. Though next time I would stay somewhere a little closer… and maybe with a bar.
Damien took us on a trip to nearby town Kinsale on Sunday. Its a quiet town. Art galleries, English and American people, yachts, gift shops, painted houses and great sea food. When it was suggested that we would be going to a place called Fishy Fishy I was a little wary. I don’t generally eat sea food. Though I think it’s mostly as a result of my parents only ever cooking salmon as if it’s the only thing edible in the sea without catching a disease. I don’t even like salmon! Clams, however, very tasty. Thanks Damien!
And that was pretty much it. After 7hrs of travelling I got back home. Overall, Cork was a really nice city. Besides the fact that cab drivers on both Friday and Saturday nights got losts bringing us to the guesthouse, I can’t complain. the two channels thing is really cool. Got a little confusing about which one was which once or twice. The coloufully painted houses can be a bit of an eyesore at times. Take a few photos and show everyone how strange they are, but if I had to look at a pink house everyday I would possibly drown myself in the River Lee, as we’re on an island, that’s really not a problem…
Can’t wait to go back.
4th July. Independence Day.
I’m going to CORK!
Of all the three letter airport codes Cork has the best: ORK. But thats a sidenote I’m not even taking the plane anymore.
The last time I was in Cork we went to Trabolgan though I was nine and barely remember it. I’ve been thinking about going to Cork for a few months now, yet I barely know why. I just keep hearing the words ‘technology’ and ‘web’ coming from that general direction and wanna see if they have flying cars yet or generally what it is they are all so patriotic about…
I hate any sort of drawing with a mouse. Took me about 20 attempts to get that circle right
Donncha mentioned a while back a selection of events from the Cork Midsummer Festival that looked good and so I set the date of the last event, Robodock, firmly in my mind. Of course I only booked it last week, meaning that the flights from Dublin had gone up from 1¢ to more than the cost of the Train, but I like trains to so it’ll be good.
Hopefully I will have Wi-Fi as the guesthouse I’m staying in assures me they have it and that it is free. I’m sure there will be plenty of Twitter updates either way and photos will be on auto at the photoblog.
I’m still in need of some ideas of places to see and things to do, cafés with wi-fi and places to eat.