www.listico.uklmusic
‘THERE'S PLENTY OF MUSIC TO GO APE TO THIS YEAR'
Homeward bound
Doug Johnstone chats to the heads behind Homegame, the Fence Collective's annual gathering of cracked folk, indie pop, electronica and beyond
n the ever-growing Scottisli music festival
calendar. the Ilomegame remains something of a
well-kept secret. Despite a steadily increasing profile since its inception six years ago. the weekend. run by l’enee (‘ollective head honchos Kenny Anderson (aka King (‘reosote) and Johnny Lynch (aka The l’ictish Trail). remains a good—natured. cosy. boutique affair. and that's just the way they like it.
Set in the stunning environs of the fishing village of
Anstruther in the liast Neuk of life. the event grew out of Sunday Social all-day gigs and was originally planned as a showcase for the multifarious acts that make tip the Fence (‘ollective's eclectic roster. but gradual expansion has made it a much more diverse and expansive affair.
This year's line-up includes limma Pollock. De Rosa. Karine Polwart. Adem. Foxface. Malcolm Middleton and The Phantom Band. who join the leading lights of the collective. such as the aforementioned organising pair and James Yoi‘kston. for a weekend of handy boo/ed-up exploits and sea air. ‘We like to pretend that it‘s a proper festival.‘ say s Lynch disingenuously. ‘but really it‘s just an excuse
for us to show how drunk we can perform in front of
our pals and coked-up tabloid journos.”
One of the keys to Homegame‘s success is that it hasn't lost any of its initial charm despite its steady growth. a mistake Lynch was keen to avoid. This year‘s festival. with gigs scattered around various venues in the town. has a capacity of 7()(). twice what it was last year (There are still a few tickets leftf' Lynch rants hopefully). This increased si/e will certainly make the queues for the chippies busy come
62 THE LIST 16—30 Apr 2009
teatime. btit it could‘ve been a lot worse.
‘We were thinking about making this year's event much larger. like lellll—plus people in a marquee on the sliorefront.‘ says Lynch. 'But we scrapped that idea as we felt it would be too imposing on the town and the festival would lose its homely feel. Plus the queue for the bar would have been a right bastai'd.‘
liencc has an unfair reputation as an insular folky outfit. when the reality is the exact opposite. The collectiv‘e's roster contains everything from quality electronica to dance music. full-on noisy rock bands to wonky singer-songvvriiei' experimentalism. as well as a quality core of Scottish folk and traditional sotintls.
‘Tliere's a perception of liencc that were antisocial. ageing vegans with massive eyebrows and terrible sweaters who abhor anything above two decibels. but that‘s not tis.~ says Lynch. 'There‘s plenty of music to go ape to this year. sbotild you be so inclined. and it‘s not thrown in as an afterthought either. vve genuinely
just put on music that we vvani to hear.‘
All of which makes it one of the highlights of the Scottish music calendar. and if you don't believe us. here‘s Lynch's final pitch. '\\'iibout wanting to sound cheesy. it's a festival you can make your ovvnf he says. ‘lt‘s the folk equivalent of (‘entre l’ai'cs. If you vv ant to go nuts. you can go iitits. If you want to wrap
yourself in a blanket and sway. you can do that too. If
you want to go on a vvaterslidc. you can take the bus and fuck off to Dundee." (‘onsider yourself invited.
Homegame, Antruther, Fife, Fri 17-Sun 19 Apr.
THE BEST ROCK. POP, JAZZ & FOLK
>l<
* Sharon Shannon Big Band featuring Shane MacGowan Harnshackle Irish folk at this Ceilidh Culture highlight. HMV Picture House. Edinburgh. Fri U Apr. (Folk)
>i< Homegame A coming together of the ragtag clan that falls under the Fence Collective. as they lay siege to Anstruther for a weekend of freak folk, lov fi. indie, electronica and more. Various venues. File, Fri 77 Apr-Sun 79 Apr. (Rock 8 Pep) >i¢ Doves Manchester‘s other great melancholy indie act (beSIdes Elbow) return from hibernation with brilliant album Kingdom of Rust. Barrow/and, Glasgow, Wed 22 Apr,“ HMV Picture House. Edinburgh. Thu 23 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
tic Stripped Back For Malawi The Vaselines, Aidan Moffat. Malcolm Middleton and Bridget Storm all go acoustic in for the Zomba Orphan Project in Malawi. Oran Mor, Glasgow, Fri 24 Apr. (Rock 8. Pop)
* The Specials True pioneers of the ska era and founders of 2 Tone Records return to skank again with classics such as ‘Ghost Town' and ‘Too Much Too Young'. 02 Academy, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Sat 25 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
‘4: PJ Harvey a. John Parish A true great of British rock joins forces with long term producer and collaborator John Parish for this special gig. Queen '3 Hall, Edinburgh, Sun 26 Apr. (Rock 8 Pop)
=i¢ Going Across the Sea A transatlantic sharing of talent as seven musicians from Scotland, Ireland and America explore their musical traditions. Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Wed 29 Apr. (Folk)
* Hinterland A new festival melding music and art. The Fall and Sons & Daughters rub shoulders with up-and-comers 85 Bears, Plugs and Prego. See feature. page 12. Various venues, Glasgow, Thu 30 Apr 8 Fri 1 May. (Rock 8 Pop)