Gemma Dempsey, Host

As I won't be back for Coachella I'm am devising my own mini fest here in London -  Bat for Lashes and School of Seven Bells - at Shepherds Bush Empire,  Bonnie Prince Billy at Royal Festival Hall, Simon Bolivar Orchestra at South Bank, Ether 09 continues with Plaid & Jon Hopkins at QEH and to celebrate the International Record Store Day (alas there can't be many pariticipants) Rough Trade East is hosting a free all dayer featuring Wave Machines, Bombay Bicycle Club and Sunny Day Sets Fire - all you need is a wristband in advance of the show to gain entrance - or if you are feeling flush and reckless you could hop on a plane and head to Palm Springs :)
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My friend, singer and theatre director Filomena Campus recommended Romeo Castellucci's production of Dante's Inferno at The Barbican - I had no idea what to expect but always one to enjoy surprises and spontaneity, I went along.
OH MY GIDDY AUNT!!  7 German Shepherds come on stage on leashes with their trainers; they are chained to the stage as a dog runs from the side  to attack an actor in a protective padded suit. In all 3 dogs attack him as the  7 dogs watch from the front ...later on a huge cube structure is rolled onto the stage and is full of young toddlers playing - unaware of a huge billowing black cloud above their play area...a grand piano is set alight, lots of actors stream across the stage, one by one dying off, an Andy Warhol character weaves in and out of the hellish mayhem and finally    A WHITE HORSE COMES ON STAGE AND IS SPLATTERED WITH RED PAINT! All of this happens with VERY LOUD electronic soundscape that almost made my ears bleed. Was it any good? There was something subversive and exciting seeing animals, children and fire in the space of 90 minutes in a major London theatre and it did make me think that I would definitely prefer Heaven to Hell :)

Hello from wet windy sunny London! Am thrilled to see Tunng & Tinariwen tonight @ Koko's in Camden Town - a venue thats entertained with styles as diverse as victoriana music hall, cabaret, punk , Steve Strange & his new romantics to indie rock. Tonight's opener will be a DJ set from some of the Tunng troupe, then singer Beth Jeans Houghton and then Tinariwen & Tunng. I have no idea what to expect but am v.excited. BIG thanks to Nigel at Full Time Hobby for getting me on the all important list (the show has been sold out for ages) More as and when I know or experience it

When I researched One Step Beyond for my GGG podcast, I didn't know I'd be in NY for it - so as I was I  went! held at the American Natural History Museum on 3/13 (lucky for me)  and it was great - met Mapei after her set and learned she is headed to SXSW so will tell my KCRW colleagues to check her out - KCRW has a great showcase night with The Boat People (who I saw yesterday at the Aussie BBQ at The Echo here in LA) Ida Maria and lots more
The Space Show was amazing in the Hayden Planetarium - narrated by none other than Harrison Ford - felt like I was on a roller coaster ride through the universe - very cool :)
GD

I'm in New York wearing my other KCRW hat of Producer of The Treatment with Elvis Mitchell - yesterday we taped a great interview  with Brit comedian/ actor/ raunchy raconteur Russell Brand - air date on KCRW tbd...

and tomorrow night I'll be going to One Step Beyond here in NY at the Hayden Planetarium with music from Four Tet, Jon Hopkins and Mapei - AND YOU COULD BE TOO! we have a free pair of tickets via our KCRW website - tickets to gig only - you have to get yourself to Manhattan :)

Lets focus on  LOVE -  If you're a fan of cool music and sensual acrobatic performances , then head to LA for a Valentine's date with Lucent L'Amour.  Brought to you by  The Do Lab , you'll be in for a sensory treat whether its their stunning set designs, art installations or the burlesque beauties of Lucent Dossier Vaudeville Cirque -

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 this will be a Valentine's night you won't forget - who needs an overpriced meal and flowers ?  the real romance will be in the streets of Downtown LA this Saturday night! DJs include Marques Wyatt and Adam Freeland. See you there!! xoxoxox

G'day and welcome to my first GGG blog of 2009! Check out GGG Aussie special ! I chatted with Missy Higgins, Julian Hamilton of The Presets, Gabriella Cilmi & a number of other Aussie artists and music festival curators about the fantastic Aussie festival season currently in full swing down under - we also have tickets to St. Jerome's in Sydney!

Australia Festival Season Rocks!

How was your Christmas and New Year? I'm just returned from my home town of London, my parents town of Dublin, a bit of skiing and husky sledging in the Pyrenees and then a quick hello to my dear friend Fiona in her town of Glasgow - phew! Now back in LA and looking forward to seeing Metronomy and The Mae Shi at El Rey manana....GD

The Big Reunion Chapter 2  Nov 28-30 at Butlins Entertainment Centre Skegness on the east coast of England. Despite disparaging comments from the ever subtle mayor of London Boris Johnson, Skegness is still a popular holiday spot for Brits and thousands will be heading there for a  weekend of dance music from DJs Tim Westwood, Dave Pearce and Judge Jules, with six stages designed by uber event producers Kinkymalinki and Kissdafunk.

Over to the Republic of Macedonia for Taksirat - a festival that began as a punk-ish underground event has grown in size but remains faithful to its roots - attracting music fans from surrounding Bulgaria, Serbia and Kosovo. On the bill - Audio Bullys, The Roots, Swayzak and Happy Mondays. Thanks to Cveta who responded to my email to the festival who explained Taksirat is an old Turkish word meaning 'destiny' both good and bad :)

Now to Australia for Stereosonic – an electronica and digital arts extravaganza – Brisbane’s already sold out but tickets are still available for Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and New Caledonia – on the bill - UK’s Carl Cox, Israel’s Infected Mushroom and Germany’s Booka Shade.

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Gigbeth gets is name from the area in which it is held – Digbeth – a historically industrial area of Birmingham known for its production of Typhoo Tea and Birds Custard – two items very close to this girls heart :)  Gigbeth features conferences and gigs at various venues around town– artists on the bill include The Guillemots, The Young Knives and The Getaways as well lots of new local bands...more info at the website.