us Festivals

Spanish cellist Pablo Casals ceased performing in 1946 to protest the world's indifference to the oppressive Franco regime then in power in his homeland. The silence of the cellist, then in his 70s, was keenly felt by the millions who loved him. When he returned to concertizing in 1950, at first it was only to honor Bach, who had died two hundred years before. Violinist Alexander Schneider (of the Budapest Quartet) was integral in coaxing Casals out of his silence and in planning what became known as the Prades Bach Festival.

Little Dragon—the pioneering Swedish four-piece fronted by enigmatic vocalist Yukimi Nagano, with multi-instrumentalists Håkan Wirenstarnd and Fredrik Wallin on keyboards and bass respectively and Erik Bodin on drums and percussion—return with their sixth studio album, “New Me, Same Us".

In the summer of 2001, Travis embarked on a rather hectic festival schedule which saw them headlining three huge gigs over the Bank Holiday weekend–the Reading and Leeds Festivals and Glasgow's Gig On The Green. More Than Us–Live in Glasgow is the final of the three shows, and captures them at their best. Coming on the back of the release of their third album The Invisible Band it was inevitable that most of the tracks would be culled from this, including instant favourites "Sing" and "Side", but they do keep a healthy amount of old favourites on the set list as well-"Driftwood", "Writing To Reach You", "All I Want To Do Is Rock" and "Why Does It Always Rain Me". Not that the crowd need winning over–this is a local concert for local people after all. They've come a long way from their humble beginnings as Oasis's favourite support act, so much so that Noel Gallagher is now seen watching from the wings. He looks suitably impressed, as he rightfully should be–this is a great performance from one of Britain's best-loved bands.

Mrs. Sharrie Williams Is the Voice! A galactic vocal force to be reckoned with, a ragging flame of fire that has been sprayed with gasoline, she has a message burning within her soul. Sharrie has a powerful voice, with a range that can reach and rattle the castle tower one minute, while soothing the soul of a crying child the next, she possess an unaffected nature, which gives her grace and a sensibility that pays homage to the great female artist of rock and blues without ever being imitative, in short, Sharrie Williams is the real deal, a true original. She brings you in, by singing her insides out, hearing her is a pure delight, but seeing her perform will make you a believer. Williams has a warm and radiant stage presence, that takes hold of you and capture your imagination and captivate your senses, the sound of her voice is compelling, it promises redemption. With every note She makes you cry, laugh and dance, she can even wake up the dead, I guess one would call her the voice of an emotional cocktail.

The Japanese Popstars actually hail from Northern Ireland, where they have fast become a proud fixture of the UK's vibrant nu-electro scene, earning praise from legendary British dance authority MixMag who called them…"the most exciting new electronic act on the planet"…