PREVIEW: Victorious Festival 2023 starring Kasabian, Friendly Fires & Charlatans

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

Victorious has announced its second wave of acts for Britain’s sunniest August bank holiday festival on the south coast in Portsmouth (25-27 August 2023).

  • Read on for reasons including Natalie Imbruglia, Pete Tong, Belle and Sebastian & Dara O’Briain
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GIG REVIEW: Roxy Music at The 02

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: Friday 14 October 2022

Why did I go to watch Roxy Music in a venue that normally I wouldn’t watch bands in? (Except for Soft Cell’s “farewell” gig.) Well, for the same reason. This was their 50th anniversary and farewell tour.

  • Read on for reasons including how Roxy Music influenced every band A Humdrum Mum admires
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GIG REVIEW: Melt Yourself Down at The Loft, Southampton

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

A last minute impulse buy and when the tickets arrived, we were numbers 30 and 31. Oh no, what if not many people turned up? No fear of that. Thanks in part to being heavily played on BBC 6Music of recent, it was packed. 

  • Read on for reasons including how singer Kushal Gaya spent time hugging everyone
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INTERVIEW: Former Strangler Hugh Cornwell on his movie music podcast

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

Hugh Cornwell (former Stranglers singer/guitarist) has a movie music podcast – in fact it has been going for 4 years now and has nearly 100 episodes – read on to discover more.

  • Read on for reasons including Brian Eno, Cindy Crawford and Bob Hoskins
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GIG REVIEW: Shiiine On Weekender 2021 at Butlin’s Minehead Arena

By Carron Stacey, A Humdrum Mum

WHEN?: 12-14 November 2021

It’s taken me a full week to recover from the Shiiine On Weekender, but then I did turn 50 this year. I think that’s the problem; however, I have also discovered the solution – the nana nap.

  • Read on for reasons including Peter Hook and The Light and James Taylor Quartet
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Don’t Diss The Disco by International Teachers Of Pop (October 2020)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2

OUT: now

There’s always a sense of trepidation when a friend recommends a song they think you’ll like.

  • Read on for reasons including how this band lives up to the Sheffield pop giants that have come before them

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GIG REVIEW: Dubioza Kolektiv at Wedgwood Rooms, Portsmouth

By Carron Stacey

WHERE? Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth

WHEN? 13/2/20

This seemingly crazed swarm of football strip-attired Bosnian bees pumped out a stunning set of rap, rock, ska and funk, pollenating the slightly small (but perfectly formed) audience with their nectar of positivity in a hive of energy.

  • Read on for reasons including how an early incarnation had to practise in the dark due to a lack of electricity during the Bosnian War

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INTERVIEW: Ms Humdrum meets her favourite local businesses at Victorious Festival

By Carron Stacey

WHERE?: Southsea Common (press ticket)

WHEN?: 23 – 25/8/19

During a festival, one of the things Mr Humdrum and I like to do, in that quiet slot between bands, is to wander around looking at the stalls.

  • Read on for reasons including Ms Humdrum meeting some of her favourite vendors at Victorious 

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