Keep Colchester Cool Recommends…

By Ana Grabova

Published 01 May 2012
(May-June 2012 Edition)

Here are just some of the events taking place in May and June that you can go to, safe in the knowledge of hearing some great music.

Fuzz Face

Taking place just down the road on Mersea Island is the fifth Cosmic Puffin Festival, Friday 4th to Monday 7th May. This well-respected event raises money for local charities, and the organisers promise a bigger, brighter, better festival than ever before. More than 40 bands are performing over four stages, including Colchester favourites New Town Kings, Surfquake and Hokie Joint. They've also got the internationally acclaimed ambient DJ, Mixmaster Morri on the aHulaBula stage.

Slack Space moved to Victoria Place late last year and have quickly settled into their new home. On Saturday 5th May they stage the Acoustic Spring Festival with Snippet, The Raffles Gang, The Mex Factor, The Four Blokes, Gwendal Moele and The Medlars. It also coincides with the Jane’s Walk party being held there by Walk Colchester, so a good night all round.

Hokie Joint

The cultural visionary Will Wright is one of the most talented and respected guys in Colchester. He's involved in many projects within the town and whether it's directing videos, lecturing, making music or DJing, he has his finger on the pulse. On Saturday 12th May he hosts another Skank Sabbath event, once again bringing something different to town. This one, Mayhem, features Step 13 for a 100% live drum’n’bass set , Greg Blackman and A. Gee in The Judge and Jury. Downstairs, in Tribal Underground, Stereofreakz, Cyberdog and MC Seeds join Will (in his Rev Wright guise) on the decks.

The Wivenhoe May Fair takes place on a Saturday this year, on 26th May. The free community-based festival celebrates its 30th anniversary and this year will turn back the clock to bring back some of the highlights of its past. The line-up has not been announced at the time of writing but I'm hearing rumours of another strong line-up with some of Colchester’s finest acts representing.

"Over on Military Road we welcome back The Twist, a venue that is truly part of Colchester's musical heritage."

Meanwhile, over on Military Road we welcome back The Twist, a venue that is truly part of Colchester's musical heritage. Gavin Wilby from XXX Promotions has taken over and his opening weekend line-up is pretty special. On Friday 1st June, DJ Aphrodite and Cut La Roc headline with support from local legend Worzal and Cyberdog. The New Town Kings play the Twist on Monday 4th June. I'm hoping the venue is back for good and it's got a great chance of doing just that.

Nearly 2000 people joined the Facebook group by Centre Stage Photography & Promotions called "Who would attend an all dayer Metal Festival in Colchester?" and as a result a Metal Festival was scheduled to take place in Charter Hall. However, due to unforeseen costings the event had to be cancelled but from the ashes of that, Centre Stage have found an alternative home for The Metal Festival Replacement Gig on Saturday 2nd June. The revised event takes place at Colchester Arts Centre with Fei Comodo, Malefice, The Morning After, Despite My Deepest Fear and The Big Lick DJs.

Surfquake

On Saturday 23rd June, we say goodbye to FuzzFace at their farewell gig at Colchester Arts Centre. Classed as one of the best bands Colchester has ever seen, this gig sees FuzzFace members Ady Johnson, Matt Simpkins, Toby Bull and Mark Turnbull back for one last night of organ driven rock ‘n’ roll at the venue the band have sold out on two previous occasions.

Visit www.keepcolchestercool.co.uk or like Keep Colchester Cool on Facebook for daily updates on what’s on in Colchester.

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20th May 2013

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