Festival Preview: Astral Coast
Astral Coast
Words: Gary Lambert
This weekend sees the third Astral Coast Festival hit New Brighton, but this year as well as sending in the Cavalry (yes, I went there) they are teaming up with Arts and Minds Festival to put on a free event. This joint initiative means that as well as up-and-coming Merseyside bands to entertain and invigorate there will be opportunities to take part in other sessions in fields such as mindfulness and relaxation. All of this takes place at Marine Point on the banks of the royal blue Mersey (well more likely brown-grey but let’s not give up hope). As stated this event is being put on free of charge for patrons, so get on down and see what happens. The musical bill is varied as we will come to with our Ones To Watch shortly so there will be something for everybody’s taste. Hopefully people will pop along and see some acts outside of their traditional comfort zones. Entertainment, relaxation and broadening the mind all without getting your Converse muddy. You can’t want for better than that!!
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ONES TO WATCH
She Drew The Gun
In this instance, I will definitely be following my own advice on the one to watch as I have only heard She Drew The Gun, but the impressive word of mouth that accompanies songs such as Since You Were Not Mine and If You Could See tells me that I need to end my record of not watching her perform. If you like haunting alt-country vocals and textured minimalism make sure you’re in the crowd.
Find She Drew The Gun on Facebook
Listen to If You Could See here:
Mersey Wylie
When you hear someone sing and it causes you to leave your place waiting patiently at a packed bar and walk to the next room immediately so that you can check the artist out, you know they have talent. That was my experience when fortunate enough to catch Mersey Wylie for the first time. With a white girl soul voice designed to torment the heart between dancing and disaster and a confident demand of the stage, take every opportunity you can to watch her perform close up as soon enough you might be paying a lot of money to sit far away watching.
Find Mersey Wylie on Facebook
Listen to Here With Me here:
Marvin Powell
With a voice that makes you think of summer’s day dreams a Saturday afternoon watching Marvin Powell could be pretty damn good. In tandem will be his skilful, almost Iberian, guitar playing creating laid back, sweet tunes like Buried. So if you’re a fan of folk music or just some chilled out times watching a talented musician, this Skeleton Records signing is the man.
Find Marvin Powell on Facebook
Listen to Buried here:
Cavalry
A melodic alt-folk act who are already talking up on social media their excitement at this acoustic set. Already played on both Radio One and Radio Six Music, this band will be going straight to the hearts of fans of the likes of Mumford and Sons. Headlining the event will be a natural fit for the guys who are used to playing venues such as The Kazimier so get ready to finish your day in style!
Find Cavalry on Facebook
Listen to Lament here:
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