The SERTUC Conference was recently held at TUC Congress House. It's purpose was to device a strategy to oppose further cuts to arts budgets and make the case for greater investment. Participants included Trade Unionists, visual and performance artists, academics, students and those who love art and culture. From this has sprung the Show Culture Some Love Campaign. Show Culture … [Read more...]
Viewpoint: The Voice of Luke Concannon
The band Nizlopi may be best known for its hit single, JCB Song [YouTube video], but the duo behind the group, John Parker and Luke Concannon, are a serious musical outfit, influenced by poetry, trip hop, folk and an eclectic range of other styles. As Concannon tours his debut solo album, we caught up with him via Skype to learn more about his inner world, views on fame and … [Read more...]
Down to Margate – The Anti-UKIP Music Video (feat. Stella)
On the 28th of February 2015 hundreds of people from all over Britain descended on UKIPs Spring Margate Conference to let them know that their viewpoints were repugnant. So obviously... we had to make a music video. … [Read more...]
Historic Walk & Book Launch with David Rosenberg
Sunday 19th April 2.00pm - 4.00pm: Rebels & Revolutionaries East End Walk with Historian and Author David Rosenberg To accompany the launch of his new book, Rebel Footprints: A Guide to Uncovering London's Radical History, author David Rosenberg is hosting a special east end walk in Clerkenwell. Treading in the footsteps of the area’s Rebels & Revolutionaries, David … [Read more...]
The Nether: Opening Night at the Duke of York Theatre
“Did you ever fuck an elf?” asks Sims, successfully snapping the audience back into gallows humour mode and drawing titters of delight from across the darkened room… At first glance, you wouldn’t think that a play centred around a digitally enhanced paedophile paradise would draw too many laughs… but wryness had a big part to play in Jennifer Haley’s dark drama; and The … [Read more...]
Interview: The Ordinary British Women Who Stand Up to UKIP
Searchlight Magazine Arts has long been impressed by the tenacity of Women Against UKIP. This is by far and away the most active group on social media and its Facebook community has soared since it launched last April, with current “likes” standing at 17,226. We catch up with the leaders of this community to learn more about how this group began… and why they decided to put … [Read more...]
Tayo Aluko: Banned from the US & Coming Soon to a Town Near You
"I have indeed recently suffered the great inconvenience and disappointment of having a visa application returned as invalid, meaning that I will not be able to fulfill an engagement to perform at the Bing Crosby Theatre in Spokane on January 16 - Martin Luther King Day. My sincere apologies to anybody who was intending to go to that performance, and to the members and … [Read more...]
A Bizarre 1928 Party at Chiswick House
Kathryn and Nick meet 20s pianist Robert Johnson, the tempo setter for the most lavish parties in Chiswick House’s history As we trooped embarrassedly along the edge of the dual carriageway, gaggles of locals were swarming from their homes to form a steady flow of foot traffic towards Chiswick House. A swathe of groomed be-suited males waddled carefully alongside brightly … [Read more...]
Song: Meet Stella, our Friendly Neighbourhood Protest Singer
We first met Stella at a very, very dull event a few years ago. She was carrying a guitar and looking as bored as we were, so we pounced over for a chat. Within a few minutes she was belting out a tongue-in-cheek explanation of what she did, and she’s been our go to singer of amusing songs ever since. Most of the time she’s trying to put a serious point across... But … [Read more...]
The Global Sniffer Bee Population Speak Out
Channel No 5, fried eggs, ashtrays, Febreze… the smell of unwashed bodies was quite overpowering as the stomping throng of 500 travellers jostled for space in the overheated waiting area. But high overhead, nestled in the white industrial beams of the lofty ceiling, the newly formed 63B Squadron hovered expectantly, absorbing the stench with relish. At 9.00am, exactly as the … [Read more...]