Culture Diary w/c 18-03-13

Monday – Wild Nothing 7.30pm @ the Kazimier £8

Shoegaze, dream-pop, call it what you will; whatever ‘it’ is, Wild Nothing have it in abundance. First single, 2009′s Summer Holiday (taken from 2010′s LP Gemini put out by Captured Tracks), was all shimmering nostalgia-fuelled indie; a taste of things to come. Picked up by Bella Union for the follow up (last year’s Nocturne), Wild Nothing seem to have made a mockery of that ‘difficult’ second album idea.

Tuesday – Bullhead 6pm @ FACT

Central to director Michael Roskam’s Bullhead, ostensibly a thriller, is the performance from Matthias Schoenaerts (Rust and Bone). Writing last week about Roskam’s debut feature, DW Mault described Schoenaerts’ performance thus: “He ceases to be a man and becomes a bastardised version of a minotaur.” Full preview.

Philip Pullman’s I Was A Rat! 7pm @ the Playhouse £12-£20

Described by the Telegraph as “A show to please all ages, it is supremely theatrical, and it has a heart,” this story about a boy who turns up on the doorstep of old married couple Bob and Joan is typical Philip Pullman. Combining humour and dark fantasy, I Was A Rat! promises much for children and adults alike.

Wednesday – The Double Negative Contributor Meeting 6pm @ Sound Food & Drink

Our first official meet-up of 2013, The Double Negative is always happy to chat about things we should be covering and meeting contributors old and new, as well as event organisers. If you think any of this sounds like you, give us a shout on: contribute [@] thedoublenegative.co.uk

Secret City plus Q&A 6.30pm @ FACT

Ahead of Chancellor George Osborne delivering 2013′s budget, and in the shadow of PM David Cameron arguing against caps for city workers, the screening of Secret City is a very timely one indeed. This film, which looks at the role and machinations of ‘The City’, is an attempt to get to grips with, and expose the workings of, an institution which impacts us all.

PICK OF THE WEEK: Thursday – Upitup! Birthday Weekender various venues £15

Celebrating the not unimpressive event of their 10th birthday this month, the underground electronic label and promoter that is Upitup plans to mark the occasion in style. With acts drawn from their decade in the business as well as some new faces, playing Mello Mello, the Kazimier and Drop the Dumbells, the three-day spectacular looks at different aspects of electronic music. Full preview and playlist.

Roddy Woomble 8pm @ Leaf £14.50

Best known in the guise of front man to Idlewild, Roddy Woomble always was more thoughtful and measured than your typical rock star in waiting. These are qualities much more to the fore in his solo project, most recently evidenced on this year’s Listen To Keep. With his solo output, described by the Guardian as “moving and quietly joyous”, Woomble appears to have tapped a very rich vein indeed.

Friday – John Smith 8pm @ the Epstein Theatre £12.50

Fresh from a support slot with Richard Hawley, nu-folk artist John Smith strikes out on his own, in support of new album, Great Lakes. Heaped with critical acclaim from the likes of the NME, Time Out and the BBC (one reviewer going so far as to mention Nick Drake), Smith looks set to become a force to be reckoned with.

Saturday – Found Footage Festival 9pm @ FACT

Returning following their debut UK appearances last year, the Found Footage Festival (established by sometime Onion and Letterman writers, Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett) celebrates and showcases long-since discarded VHS tapes. Discovered in dumpsters, thrift stores and God-knows where else, Prueher and Pickett are champions of all things random committed to tape.

Ulrich Schnauss 9pm @ the Kazimier £10

German producer and musician Ulrich Schnauss – widely considered an institution in his own right in the shoegaze scene – hits the Kaz this Saturday, touring new record A Long Way to Fall. With an emphasis on electronica and exhibiting a change of direction for the Berlin-based Schnauss, get set for some ambiently-toned cinematic soundscapes.

Posted on 18/03/2013 by thedoublenegative