Culture Diary w/c 03-09-12
Monday – Natalie McCool, Thin Air single launch, 8pm @ Studio 2, Parr Street £3
Recently Louder than War’s New Artist Of The Day, John Robb said of Natalie McCool: “A striking look, brilliant command of stripped down songwriting, and a crystal clear voice.” Tonight sees her launch new single, Thin Air, with the evening compered by 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins. Featuring sometime Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, the odds seem stacked in McCool’s favour.
Ed Wood 8.40pm @ FACT
Ed Wood, the story about a cross-dressing director of the film infamously considered the worst of all time (Plan 9 from Outer Space), is hardly Tim Burton’s most celebrated. Having said that, it is one of our faves of the Burton canon, certainly of those starring Johnny Depp. It lacks nothing of Edward Scissorhand’s Gothic sensibilities or eccentricity, but instead of relying on these elements, there is added pathos. A fine way to kick off the Tim Burton run of films.
Tuesday – Shut Up and Play the Hits + Satellite Q&A with James Murphy, 9pm @ FACT
After a decade and three albums, LCD soundsystem’s James Murphy decided it was time to call it a day, to go out on top while the respect continued and the songs still stand for themselves. Shut Up and Play the Hits (a direct quote from Arcade Fire’s Win Butler) is a chance for fans to take a ringside seat to the final 48 hours in the band’s life. Hopefully, their tears will dry in time for the satellite Q&A with Murphy.
Wednesday - Lawless + Satellite Q&A with John Hillcoat and Nick Cave, 8.30pm @ FACT
What is it with the Q&A’s this week? Not that we’re complaining – there’s nothing like the chance to hear about a film/album/piece of art from the horses mouth. In this case, we get to hear (albeit via satellite) from director John Hillcoat and screenwriter Nick Cave. The pair, who previously worked together on The Proposition, will talk about their latest – prohibition-era set – western, Lawless.
Thursday – Scarface @ The Bombed Out Church, 7.30pm, £2 min donation
It’s a well-worn story: ambitious (possibly insane) gangster Tony, climbs the ranks until there’s only one place to go. Down. The difference here of course is that director Howard Hawks and his cast (including Paul Muni as Tony) were working at a time when this stuff was on the front pages of the papers as well as in the entertainment press. Relive what must have felt more or less like a reality this Thursday at St. Luke’s.
Friday – Living With Macbeth, 8pm @ The Unity Theatre £10/£8
The Scottish Play, they call it. Macbeth, as many of us still recall from GCSE English, is all about the spiralling out of control of the titular anti-hero. In Living With Macbeth, we get to see a different psychological story, that of an actor who’s played all the great roles and played them well, but no longer does. Director Paul Braithwaite describes it as a “study of a troubled mind’s memories and the ghosts that still haunt it”. We’re intrigued at the prospect.
Saturday – Allo Darlin’, 8pm @ The Kazimier £8 (pictured)
Whatever became of indie-pop, the genre inspired by the DIY-ethic of punk, only with winsome vocals and jangly guitars? The truth is, it never really ‘went’ anywhere, it just got sidelined and somewhat forgotten, the onset of blog-bands possibly the final nail in the coffin. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. London-based Allo Darlin’ have been doing the rounds for a few years now and second album, Europe, released in May was named Rough Trade’s album of that month. Their success, and twee, romance-driven pop has given the genre the shock treatment it required.
Sunday – The Summer Cup, 12pm @ The Kazimier Garden £10
Celebrate the final throes of summer-time courtesy of the folks at Mello Mello this Sunday. With a home-made picnic basket, complimentary summer cocktail, games and live music on offer all under one roof at the Kazimier Garden, whether the sun holds or not, the Summer Cup promises to be quite a celebration.
