Festival Music
For everything you need to know about all the Festivals visit www.list.co.uk/festival LACH’S ANTIHOOT Open stage night from NYC ●●●●●
list.co.uk/festival
On any given night you can expect a stage filled with anything from magicians (Victorian duo Morgan and West have already played) to comedians (Rich Fulcher too) to a very large array of musicians (Meursault, Broken Records, and Panda Su to name a few). Lach (pictured above), the anti-folk hero, has brought his New
Part Wild Horses Mane On Both Sides otherworldly sound. A little bit New Age, a little bit jazz-punk, it’s a beautiful, ethno-folk slow-burner – for those who can get past the slightly Pocahontas sounding name. Support is provided by Edinburgh’s Ali Robertson and Malcy Duff, aka, Usurper, or in their own words: ‘(mostly) miniscule free-noise tantrums with busted instruments from the mongs what brought yous Giant Tank and Pizza Boy Delivery.’ ■ Leith Dockers Club, 467 7879, Sun 22 Aug, 7pm, £tbc. Kelly Jones and Pascal Nichols are a free drumming duo, who add cobweb-light flute to their primal,
transport the audience to a smoky 1940s jazz bar, blending modern pop hits with the great jazz divas, and ensure this show is likely to be a sell- out for the rest of the month. (Julia Correia) ■ Ali McGregor: Jazz Cigarette, Assembly @ George Street, 623 3030, from 23 Aug–30 Aug, 8pm, £12 (£11).
MOVIN’ MELVIN BROWN Tap dance and song homage to African American music ●●●●●
Hitting last year’s Fringe in ‘Me, Ray Charles and Sammy Davis Jr’, the majestic Movin’ Melvin this time around takes us on a song and tap- dancing journey from African slavery to the American roots of soul music, through songs of gospel and R&B.
Backed by exotic soulmate Francesca, plus a funky four-piece band, the Texas showman pulls off the odd Sam Cooke and Ray Charles
York institution to the Fringe to give anyone eight minutes – or two songs – to perform on the open stage at the Antihoot. In between sets he tells jokes, advertises for fake companies, and keeps the audience entertained while performers get their equipment ready. The atmosphere is excellent. The short time on stage allows artists to focus on their best work, as well giving them ample opportunity to interact with other people attending. But the show’s success wouldn’t be much without the appreciation and respect of the audience; crucially, there’s a really good rapport between the people performing and those watching. Lach’s Antihoot is proof that the Fringe can still be an occasion for anyone and everyone to perform whatever they want. (Simon Vansintjan) ■ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 622 6552, until 29 Aug (not 23 & 24), 12.30am, £10 (£9). Upcoming acts include We See Lights, 19 Aug; Panda Su, 20 Aug; Randan Discotheque, The Pineapple Chunks & Jo Mango, 21 Aug; Emily Scott & We See Lights, 25 Aug, plus The Magnets, Dean Friedman, Keith Farnan and John Moloney, dates TBC.
ALI MCGREGOR A versatile diva, doing jazz this time ●●●●● From the moment Ali McGregor takes to the stage, she has the audience
captivated. A seasoned performer (she has appeared in La Clique, and in The Opera Burlesque at previous Fringes) she commands the stage with her warm professionalism, confidence and outstanding voice. Surrounded with talented musicians
on drums, double bass and piano, McGregor skips the opera and comedy-harp songs this year, and performs classic jazz hits instead. Highlights include Billie Holiday’s ‘Fine and Mellow’ along with a sophisticated take on ‘Georgia On My Mind’, that makes hair stand on end. McGregor injects humour and charm into her performance by giving Britney Spears’ ‘Oops! . . . I Did It Again’ a jazz makeover, drawing big laughs.
Her velvet vocals have the ability to
60 THE LIST 19–26 Aug 2010