20th August 2016

Magic Teapots Summer Art Trial Launch

LCB Depot

by Keith Jobey

Back in May, MIL was at the Musician enjoying the Summer Art Trial Fundraiser. Today, we’re at the launch show for the Summer Art Trail itself, held at the Leicester Creative Business Depot in Rutland Street. With a musical line-up put together by the legendary Magic Teapot and a polypin of Langton Hop On beer on the bar it was sure to be a great event.

Find out more about Silver Vine Arts and the Summer Art Trail

Concerned about the potential of heavy rain meant the event was moved inside which is where Peter Ingram’s spoken word show got the event underway. Sometimes voice only, other times accompanied by sounds from his laptop, occasionally with a megaphone.

Next, Tiger Midland, a young poet with a sassy attitude showed why she’s starting to get her name on event listings.

Colossloth was a late but welcome addition to the roster. Not your run of the mill artist, in fact he’s out there at the boundary of what can be described as music, but its good stuff, and after a few listens you can tune into it.

We missed Miranda Lee and Speeches while popping out elsewhere for an hour.

We returned in time for Mountaintop Junkshop who have been putting in a busy stint of support slots lately. Expect MTJS appearances to thin out soon as alter ego We Three And The Death Rattle emerges once more.

Jouska are brilliant. This is the second time I’ve seen them and I’m already convinced they are brilliant.

Watch Trevor Cobbe’s video from the day and decide for yourself.

Red Bears are a new outfit with some familiar faces. Sally Hossack is up front, with members of Goldwater, Out Of Karma and GuRu flanking her. Not too dissimilar to Sally’s old band Free Control (which is a good thing) they’re one to keep a look out for.

It was a time for a little more poetry as Adrian Manning stepped up to the mic. Inviting Harvey Echolocation up to close with the popular guitar accompanied ‘Wide Asleep Fast Awake‘.

A slimmed down four-piece version of Echolocation were next. They have just released a new album, Empire Blood and Bones, copies of which were available on CD, and their brilliant set had a few tracks from it.

Restless feature Haz on guitars and vocals. He’d already had a busy day on the sound desk so was no doubt itching to get up and play.

It’s only a week since I watched Courtney Askey at the Firebug. And since then the band have been to Blizzard Records studios and recorded their debut album. It needs mixing next and provisional estimates are that it will be Christmas when we get to hear it.

I’d been out most of the day, and the Music In Leicester sponsored beer had all gone, so I left for a bus before Not My Good Arm played. I’m certain they will have ended the day with a bang though.

Remember though, this was just a launch show. The Summer Art Trial itself continues until 29th August, so check out what’s going on here, and don’t miss the closing ceremony at Brewdog organised by Myoptik.

See also:

Our round-up of live music in August

Our feature article on Dreaming in Colour.

Our review of The Brandy Thieves.