by Katie Isham What are you drumming for? That was the question thrown at me, not for the first time. It’s a genuine inquiry. Not accusatory. Just curious. Being lucky enough to be part of the Portsmouth branch of the Batala samba-reggae band means I help bring Brazilian beats...
Features
Featured artist: willow sculptor Jacqueline Rolls
by Sally Churchward. Artist Jacqueline Rolls is best known for her willow sculptures – from bees and other insects through animals such as pigs and hares to large unicorn and dragon heads. But in recent years the Southampton-based artist has been pushing herself further and further out of her...
Bastille on songwriting, being good allies and “the ‘eh, oh’ song”
by Sally Churchward. Being in a globally successful band and fame might seem synonymous. But for the members of Bastille there has always been a distinction, and they’ve worked hard to keep it that way. We’re chatting backstage at Victorious Festival. Later on they will headline at the Castle...
Review: Victorious Festival, Southsea Common
by Catherine Collins. Additional reporting by Sally Churchward. One of the biggest festivals in the south returned this weekend for a three day music extravaganza, with some of the industry’s most exciting names taking to the stages (26-28 August). This year, the organisers put some of the biggest acts...
Hampshire’s International Brigaders remembered in new book
by Alan Lloyd. Southampton author Alan Lloyd shares the background and some of the findings in his new book, Hampshire Heroes, which celebrates International Brigaders who fought in the Spanish Civil War with connections to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Fifteen years ago, I bought a copy of...
New items added to Southampton music archive Stick it in Your Ear
By Phil Tyler of SIIYE. Southampton’s Stick it in Your Ear music archive has added three new items to its online archives. You can read all about Stick it in Your Ear, which started out more than 40 years ago as a small local tape label with accompanying free...
Southampton City of Culture 2025 – what next for the city having missed out?
On May 31st, Southampton’s dreams of becoming City of Culture 2025 were dashed, when it was announced that the award was going to Bradford. However, for the first time, all three runners up, including Southampton, are being awarded a grant of £125,000 by the Department of Culture, Media and...
Photography for mental health
by Mike Daish. I struggle from time to time with my state of mind and can get quite down and isolate myself . With the isolation and low mood comes a lack of exercise; I stop simply getting outside for a bit of fresh air. Recently I have started...
Southampton’s first People’s Pride Party in the Park exceeds expectations
Words: Martin Brisland. Pictures: Mike Daish. Additional pictures: Hannah Barber. The People’s Pride Party in the Park in Southampton on the 11th and 12th June was a total success. (Read about the event’s origins here). The sun was shining for this fully inclusive event, the atmosphere was brilliant and...
New project exploring lesbian experiences of community in Southampton seeks participants
by Dr Elizabeth Reed. Researchers at the University of Southampton are currently recruiting participants for a project exploring lesbian people’s experience of community in the city, through the pandemic. Southampton’s City of Culture bid celebrated our diverse communities and cultures and set out a plan to make our city...