Pigstock '12

                    

The sun is shining, the beers are flowing and Pigstock 2012 is finally here! It's the official start of the summer and a chance to catch some of Northern Ireland's finest bands whilst getting drunk in a field, then crashing out in a cramped, freezing tent. 

So PastieBap headed out to Killinchy on Friday 1st June with a few friends, a few tents and a lot of alcohol, and arrived relatively safely (a minor sick stop had to be made as a few of us were nursing hangovers) at around 3.50pm. Campsite opened at 4pm, so we had to wait a little while before the gates were opened and then once we got parked up and gathered our things, we had another 10 minute wait until they finally released us into the campsite itself. We were amongst the first there so secured a primo spot all to ourselves and built a little cul-de-sac of tents. 

The atmosphere was electric as we slapped on the sun cream and started drinking and the campsite quickly filled up with tents and the sound of soundcheck. The main arena opened about 7pm and we went for a dander to see were we'd be spending the next 38 hours or so. The main arena consisted of three stages: The Gem Saloon, The Engine Room and the Main Stage; five vans selling food: pizza, thai food, crepes, burgers and an ice cream van, and a stall selling tie-dye goods and face painting. There was also a bar, tons of portaloos, a bmx ramp, an empty board for art and a stand selling limited edition tshirts and posters (only 25 of each design). On the Friday night, bands started at 7.50pm and Jamie Nelsh, Colly Strings, More Than Conquerors, Jogging and Fighting With Wire all played on the main stage. The real party however, was in the campsite where everyone seemed to congregate and many campers stayed awake all night. 

We were a bit disappointed that there was no midnight cinema in the campsite this year, as personally this has always been somewhat of a highlight for me and usually unites all the campers in a sense of nostalgia (they usually play cult classics such as The Goonies) and helps to reduce the amount of mischief created around the campsite. Also it has to be noted that there was no pig at Pigstock this year which was a massive, massive disappointment as the delicious suckling pig is definitely something that everyone looks forward to. There were a few angry campers after we discovered this and they need to get this sorted for next year's festival!

The next morning everyone got up quite early and got breakfast at the cornish pasty van which was cheap (£2 for a sausage roll and a drink) and absolutely delicious. Soon after the drinking began again and the main arena opened at 12pm, with the first band starting at 1pm in the Gem Saloon. The first band we made it to see was Gacy's Threads in The Engine Room. Now, I don't claim to know a lot about metal, but I do know a good band when I see one, and Gacy's Threads were excellent.

For being one of the first bands playing on the Saturday, they had a great turn out and really gave it their all. I for one was thoroughly impressed. Other bands playing in The Engine Room throughout the day were Annapurna, Fragments (who also sounded good), Hornets, Gascan Ruckus, The Rupture Dogs and Lafaro. The Gem Saloon had a relatively poor turnout all day, with a few exceptions and Chris Campbell, Team Horse, Ryan Vall, Tieranniesaur, Kowalski, Rarely Seen Above Ground and Not Squares all played on this stage. On the main stage was In Elegance, Eatenbybears, Farriers, Run Away Go, Silhouette, In Case of Fire, Pocket Billiards, Squarehead, Mmoths and Mojo Fury.

Highlights of the day included Silhouette and Pocket Billiards, both of which played to good crowds. Pocket Billiards especially, they really stole the show and had everyone on their feet dancing whereas most of the other crowds just sat and watched the bands perform on the main stage. Another highlight was the Ramprage ramp which featured BMX, skateboard and in-line skate tricks all day along with a DJ and competitions and prizes.

The weather on the Saturday was changeable to say the least with sun one minute and wind and rain the next, but for the most part the weather was dry and relatively warm, if a little cloudy. There was also local artist group Firsty! on hand to brighten up the afternoon and they painted murals live all day long. As the weather changed the crowds dwindled and the campsite livened up, with the usual drunken antics that we all expect to see at a festival.

By this stage the portaloos were a no-go area and they really were some of the worst I've ever seen(or smelt) - the less said about that though, the better.

By the time Mojo Fury came around, they had a relatively good crowd (probably the largest of the day), but compared to previous years the place was empty. The crowd really went for it though as the rain lashed down and the darkness set in and as the party raged on in the campsite it was a good end to the weekend.

To summarise, Pigstock '12 was a festival worth going to, the weather was pretty good considering, the bands gave it stacks and the atmosphere was good considering there weren't as many people as usual. Money's tight I guess, and people aren't splashing out on festivals, especially local ones. Tips for next year: bring back the pig and the midnight cinema for sure!

By Laura Caldwell

Pigstock & Glasgowbury - Local Festivalling at it's best

So with the sun shining and temperatures reaching as high as 20 Celsius, for the music lover this can bring to mind only one thing - festival season is upon us!

See that picture above?  The one with a terrified looking Duke Special?  That's me (fairly drunk) at Glasgowbury 2010. Look how much fun I'm having scaring this poor man.  you too could have that much fun.  Just read on...

Over the last 13 years I have been to festivals of all kinds, in different countries and of all shapes and sizes -  Leeds weekender, Download, Sonisphere, Oxegen, Forfay, Novarock, Electric Bay to name a few.  I actually met my wife at a festival 13 years ago, so they'll always hold a special place for me. I have been to at least one festival every year for the last 10 years and wouldn't consider a summer complete without one. So I would consider my self somewhat of an experienced festivaller (is that a word?) They're a great time to get away for a few days, immerse yourself in music and have a laugh with your mates.   This year I'm pretty skint, so with that in mind I'm forgoing attending a major fest and instead keeping it local, I know I'll spend no-where near the amount of money on the 2 weekends at the smaller festivals that I'd spend on the one big festival. So..I thought I'd write a few of my thoughts on festivals of all sizes and then preview the 2 I'll be attending this year.


Having been to a festival with 100,000 people and one with a few hundred, I wanted to put a few points across for going local, to the smaller fest that's crammed with local talent.

Money

A big reason is money, there's a recession on and people are wanting more bang for their buck. For example Pigstock festival is £35 for the weekend  and that includes camping, so for £35 you get 2 days and nights of non-stop music, accommodation and night time cinema/shenanigans.Usually about £70 would do you for booze and food, so you can see for about £100, it's a cheap enough way to spend a weekend.  On the other hand a ticket to Download festival will set you back £200 plus plane fare and spends when you're there. I've never come back from a major festival without spending at least £250 and that was purely on food and booze. At the end of the day you're not walking away with change from £500. 

 

Local Talent

Supporting and discovering local talent is a great reason to go as well.  This country is crammed with talent, and while international acts are all well and good, it's always good to check out what's on you doorstep.  The smaller festivals tend to be top to toe local entertainment and as such are a great time to check them out and possibly find your self a new favourite band.  

The Undercard

Swanee River @ Pigstock

Always look at the under card, we know that the big boys are on the main stage, but when theres not a band on you like go and check out a band you've never seen before.  It's all too easy to plonk yourself in front of the main stage near the bar and just check out the "mainstream" acts, and if there's band on you love - by all means do exactly that, but when there's not, take a wander and see other bands, it's a great opportunity to see band's that you normally wouldn't. Perhaps bands that you wouldn't listen to at home but make for a great live show, or even some local talent that don't usually play near you.  I've discovered loads of bands that are now in my CD collection this way - Mental Def, Triggerman, General Fiasco, 2 Door cinema club, ASIWYFA.  Also before you go to the fest perhaps give a few bands a listen, that way you will know earlier if they're something you might like.

This year Pastie Bap will be going to 2 festivals - Pigstock and Glasgowbury. We've been to both of these before many times and love them both dearly, like our own special sons, so here's a wee preview of both.  We'll be reporting back after the events too!

Glasgowbury

Wonder Villians @ Glasgowbury

The big Daddy of Norn Irish fests  - it may only be 1 day and 1 night, but what a day and night it always is. Statistically the last weekend in July is NI's hottest and that’s when Glasgowbury is held, so chances are you're in for a fine weekend weather wise.  Put that together with 4 stages at the foot of the Sperrins, some drink and a tent to sleep it all off in and you can see why this is such a good time.  This is the biggest of the local fests, so the "Small but Massive" motto that they boast is entirely apt. 

The Signs @ Galsgowbury

 I've been to Glasgowbury 4 times now and it keeps getting bigger and better, they added a comedy tent last year that went down a storm, they have excellent food vendors and awesome extras like drum circles, (the now infamous) sign making and guys from the circus school bouncing around.
The early bird camping ticket will set you back £40 and it's money well spent.

Therapy? are headlining this year and there's always more acts being announced.

The Japanese Popstars / Fighting With Wire / LaFaro / Axis Of / RunawayGO / Best Boy Grip / Soak / Pocket Billiards / Sons Of Caliber / The Wonder Villains / Farriers / Marc O’Reilly / Amidships / Silhouette / Paddy Nash & The Happy Enchiladas / VerseChorusVerse / Pretty Child Backfire / Our Krypton Son / Kowalski / Enemies / Katie & The Carnival / The Man Whom / Droids / Master & Dog / Tied To Machines / The Dead Presidents / Tucan / The 1930s / The Jepettos / Scorpion Jack / Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters / John Deery & The Heads / Humanshield / Mojo Gogo / Intermission / 4 Conors /Psycatron / Deep Fried Funk / Boxcutter presents The Host / Space Dimension Controller /Ryan Vail.

http://www.glasgowbury.com/

http://www.facebook.com/glasgowbury

https://twitter.com/glasgowbury

Pigstock



No Mean City @ Pigstock

If Glasgowbury is the big daddy, then this is the naughty school boy of NI festivals.  With a leaning more towards rock music but with something for everyone Pigstock is a weekend of loud music and good times.  Improving every year and forming from humble beginnings, Pigstock expanded last year to 2 nights and a much batter layout.  It has 3 stages of music, a spoken word tent, late night cinema, an on site bar and of course the famous hog roast that it's named after, that truly has to be tasted to believe.  It's a very family friendly festival with separate campsite away from the rowdys with its own noise curfew.  It's held in a field in the middle of nowhere, well Killinchy to be more precise. 

Mental Deficiency @ Pigstock

A weekend ticket with Camping will cost you £35 (and possibly your soul)

Headlined by MOJO FURY and Fighting with Wire with supporting cast from

Jogging/ More Than Conquerors/ Colly Strings/ Jamie Neish/ Not Squares/ Rarely Seen Above Ground/ Kowalski/ Tieranniesaur/ Ryan Vail/ Team Horse/ Chris Campbell/

Mojo Fury/  Mmoths/ Squarehead/ Pocket Billiards/ In Case Of Fire/Silhouette/ Run Away Go/ Farriers/ Eatenbybears/ In Elegance/ Not Squares/ Rarely Seen Above Ground/ Kowalski/ Tieranniesaur/ Ryan Vail/ Team Horse/ Chris Campbell

http://www.pigstockfestival.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/Pigstock

https://twitter.com/pigstockfest

Titanic Building Launched at Slipways

Saturday 7th April marked the official launch of the new Titanic Belfast building in the heart of Belfast's Titanic Quarter. Although the building had already been open for a week, a light show on the 7th marked the official opening. This was the first Titanic related activity of the year that PastieBap attended and to be honest, I didn't really know what to expect. I knew for sure that there would be lights and I hoped that there would be fireworks.  Belfast definitely didn't disappoint; there were lights and fireworks aplenty.

This was my first time seeing the £97 million Titanic Building up close and it really is breathtaking. Situated on Queen's Island, the building houses the world's largest Titanic exhibition and is 14, 00 sq.m. - twice the size of Belfast's City Hall. Its unique architectural design is comprised of 3,000 individual silver anodised aluminium shards across its external façade that is built to replicate four 90ft hulls. The building is surrounded by reflective pools of water to complete the illusion of a stately ship looming over Belfast's horizon. 

Noel Molloy, project manager for Titanic Belfast thinks that Queen’s Island is the perfect spot for this revolutionary new building. "That's where she was built. That's where she was designed. That's where the workers lived." The scale of this building mimics the actual size of the ship and is 100ft from where the Titanic was built, with the drawing office to the right, to the left is the river Lagan where the Titanic was launched and to the south is where the shipyard’s workers lived. 

Everything about the night of the light show seemed exceptionally well organised, with portaloos being supplied, ample security and there certainly wasn't much bother despite the assumed 30,000 person attendance. The tickets for the show were free and audience members were assigned to one of three viewing locations based around the slipways with different coloured armbands marking the different areas. 

Gates opened at 8pm, and the show was scheduled to start at 9pm, with stalls being set up selling crafts and food and a few fairground rides for the kids were also there to add to the carnival-esque atmosphere. The excitement was palpable and with the weather staying dry everybody seemed in high spirits as they anticipated the event.

The light show itself started about 20 past 9, a little off schedule as they had to wait for complete darkness before it could begin. So at 9.20pm on the 7th April the music began and so did the much anticipated Titanic Light Show. The first five minutes or so simply consisted of a few spot lights being shone on the building with silhouettes of the Harland & Wolff cranes and other Belfast landmarks. This wasn't quite the electric start that everyone was expecting and it lasted far too long - you could actually hear the crowd becoming restless as the noise of their chatter rose above the classical music being played. However, after the initial 5 minutes of disappointment the fireworks began in tandem to the lights and the show really kicked off as several flares were set alight from the top of the building. The lights themselves were projected directly onto the Titanic Belfast and used images and fireworks to tell the story of the Titanic from her construction at Harland & Wolff (showing girders and cogs rotating) to her eventual sinking to the bottom of the ocean (seaweed and scene of the wreckage).

Overall the show was extremely impressive, with the images being simultaneously projected onto all sides of the building. The show was far longer than the usual projection-mapping show (which usually last around 5 - 10 minutes) as it lasted approximately 40 minutes in total. With a show this long you would assume that keeping the audience's interest would be hard, but somehow they managed to do it, with the crowd staying silent and awestruck practically the whole time. As the show ended the crowds filed out, still no trouble or problem considering the 30,000 attendance. There was also a free shuttle bus service being run from Titanic Belfast into the centre of Belfast and the queue for this showed just how popular the show must have been. Although the queues were long, the wait was bearable what with the highly charged atmosphere and the collective feeling that this was Belfast rising from the not so proverbial ashes, showing all that it's got - announcing that once and for all, it's back.

Highlights of the show can be seen here.

The Titanic Belfast website can be found here.