Life for the nightclubber was almost different in the late 60’s: a dance, a drink and at least one fight witnessed.

It was also a time when recording artists had it tough: especially in The Joiners.

So say Carole and Den, a couple who frequented this historic venue in 1967 and then experienced music’s waves of change as they swept through Southampton over the following decades.

I met them last Saturday evening during Grey Matter and they told me about the Joiner’s DJ who would destroy any single that the punters didn’t like.

He even had a special slot he could roll these offending items of vinyl down.

Its an amusing story and one which leaves you gasping to know which songs were literally a dance floor smash and if the DJ actually paid good money for these 45s of despair.

And to meet a couple still enjoying live music 40 years later is another reason to celebrate.

Although the slightly scary though that if you are 19 now, the equivalent will be going to The Joiners in 2051.

So will you fly by jetpack? And will the 80’s still be popular on every radio station?

Back in the present, there are two Christmas spectaculars for festive frolicking.

Delays are at The Brook supported by Sean McGowan and Oresteia.

Or you could check out Mintsouth’s Christmas party at Guava Bar and enjoy Heathward who recently won “Live Session Of The Year” on BBC Introducing.

Either way have a smashing Christmas!

Saturday Sept 4th

This weekend you have two last chances to soak up that festival vibe before autumn rolls in.

On your doorstep is Pulse Festival at Sunnyfields Farm, just outside Totton.

Last year’s had a wonderful feel.

This was due in part to the attitude of the farm’s owners and also the festival’s curators Olly Maw from ‘Subgiant‘ and Mark Ward from ‘Heathward‘.

The food is organic, there is plenty for children to do and headlining the main stage are the globe trotting Kissmet who’s progressive style of Bhangra Rock can galvanise any audience.

Watch out for the ambient jazz of Achilles, preceding them Southampton’s Widowmaker and topping the acoustic stage are ‘Lost Souls Club‘.

And remember their objective is to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Unit in Southampton.

Fans of ‘Reef‘ will be heading off to the three day Musicosity festival in Bournemouth this weekend.

They are headlining the O2 Academy on Saturday night and around the town 50 acts are playing from tonight until Sunday evening.

For any live act, or fan of gigging, the Musicosity website and it’s magazine are something you should investigate.

As founder Chris Jenkins points out: “It has opportunities to raise musician’s profiles, reach new people and develop grass roots music.”

The more active you are as a fan, the more rewards you receive, the more gigs you get into free.

While for bands and venues it is a brilliant method of re-connecting with the live audience.

You can find out how at musicosity.com

First published in the Southern Daily Echo 2nd Sept 2011

This weekend the Isle of Wight festival is on our doorstep and no doubt Sunday’s headliner Paul McCartney will be giving many jovial thumbs-up to any mention of ‘ticket to Ryde’.

But if you don’t do tents even the Island can seem miles away.

So to taste that excellent festival vibe, but have a short journey home, keep Saturday 4th September free!

Sunnyfields Farm, just to the South of Totton, will be hosting the Pulse festival: a great day of music, food and entertainment for the children.

All in aid of the Children’s Heart Unit at Southampton General Hospital with profits going to it’s supporters Wessex Heartbeat and Friends of PICU,

Saturday Sept 4th

Pulse is being organised by ‘Subgiant’s‘ Olly Maw and Mark Ward from ‘Heathward’

Both have children who’ve needed treatment at the unit, which is known as Ocean Ward, so they are putting every effort into a brilliant day out for Southampton.

This week they announced that Vula (Basement Jax) will be headlining the second stage.

Subgiant and Heathward are deservedly on the bill along with other local stars like: Science of Eight Limbs, Pronghorn, Lousia Osborn, and Woven Bird.

They’ll be spread across two live stages alongside a classic Sunnyfield farmer’s market with fine food and beer.

Naturally the children (who get in free) will also be well catered for with bouncy castles, face painting, tractor rides and a few surprises thrown in.

More big names will be revealed soon and at £12 per ticket demand will be high! www.pulsefestival.org.uk

This article was printed in the Daily Echo on Friday 11th June 2010