The Phoenix Foundation, Brighton's The Hope, 9th February 2011
It was raining; raining hard. The impact formed little dents in my skull. Water fell out of the sky in a desperate rush to rejoin the sea. It hammered ferociously at everything in its path. That's Brighton rain for you. It can strip you bare.
I haven't seen the remake of Brighton Rock. I hear it's quite abysmal: influenced as much by Quadrophenia as by Graham Greene. The brilliance of the original story partly lies in its gritty portrayal of a time, an era, a generation. To undo that is to spit in Graham Greene's face and to irreparably damage the persona he invented in Pinky. Or so I imagine.
Rows of mopeds lined up outside the Duke of York's cinema. The Mods flocked to watch a film so slated that even the local residents couldn't be fucked to follow them. A six-piece band from Wellington, New Zealand, knew no better.
It would appear that The Phoenix Foundation whiled away a wet wintery day at the flicks. In Dolby Surround Sound, they learnt that people in Brighton get stabbed up. Later, they charmingly challenged an audience of ageing indie adults to do just that. "They’re gonna stab us up… We’re gonna get mightily stabbed up," they said, the Kiwi twang grafting gravitas to each statement. They took what they could from the film and turned it into surreal comedy. The audience demanded favoured tunes, threatening deep lacerations if the band didn't acquiesce. A small room of people united in gentle silliness and innocuous threats of stabbing.
If you have seen the film Eagle Vs Shark, you will have heard tracks from The Phoenix Foundation before. They will sit somewhere deep in your psyche. I encourage you to embrace them, bring them into your conscious and learn to love them with joy.
The Phoenix Foundation played a mixture of old and new material, and brilliantly showcased their latest album 'Buffalo'. Momentarily, older tunes stepped a little close to 'middle of the road' rock, but never for long. For the most part, The Phoenix Foundation could teach Mumford and Sons a thing or two. The Phoenix Foundation has been around too long to lace lyrics with glib sincerity.
Samuel Scott, Lukasz Buda, Conrad Wedde, Tom Callwood, Richie Singleton and Will Ricketts proved themselves as serious and talented musicians, offering warm and witty banter and an hour of beautiful entertainment. It's hard to imagine that this mob of cheery fellas has made music together for 14 years. They gel with a fresh and easy going outlook.
Their set ended. I stood in the stairwell, dressing for the night with an embarrassing number of layers, completed by high-vis jacket and cycle helmet adorned with antennae-like rear view mirror. Richie Singleton, the drummer, came from the concert room and stood next to me. He chatted easily. I felt honoured to hold court with a member of The Phoenix Foundation. He talked of promoters, touring and their return to Brighton. The sight of a cyclist dressed for fierce rain and dangerous roads seemingly passed him by.
I didn't catch The Phoenix Foundation at The Great Escape last month. I will always have The Hope and our cosy night in.
Sunday, 12 June 2011
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Glastonbury Festival: Mission Imperfect
My aim to listen to every band that's been 'formally announced' to play Glastonbury continues.
The Job:
Listen to the latest album (or EP where no album has been released) for each band and grade it. This often involves multiple listens.
Progress:
70 acts rated for Friday. Top of the list are The Vaccines, Example and Cage the Elephant, all with 9/10.
33 acts rated for Saturday. Top of the List are The Phoenix Foundation, with 9/10.
Okay, no surprises there! 3 out 4 of the above have featured in this blog already. 1 is about to (see my next post).
The Moment:
I'm currently listening to P-Money. I'm on track 16 of an album I would never otherwise hear. Will I see P-Money? I hope not. I'm not sure if my brain can take the remaining 4 tunes. It's like being talked at non-stop for 1 hour and 7 minutes. Some stages at Glastonbury are sure going grime this year.
The Odds of Success:
I will fail! It's not about winning. I couldn't bring myself to listen to U2. U2 can be blamed for tipping the balance. It's more enjoyable to blame U2 than the limitations of time!
More than Music:
Fabpants Recommends:
Here's a track from a lovely EP that's garnered the band an 8/10 in my pre-Glastonbury listings.
Download MP3: Summer Camp – Why Don’t You Stay (courtesy of wearethemascotte.fr)
Here's another cracking EP track, this time from GroupLove. This song gives me delightful earworm. I am tempted to move GroupLove from 7/10 to 8/10, but the rest of the EP didn't convince me!
Download MP3: Group Love – Colours (courtesy of digitalwell.washington.edu)
The Job:
Listen to the latest album (or EP where no album has been released) for each band and grade it. This often involves multiple listens.
Progress:
70 acts rated for Friday. Top of the list are The Vaccines, Example and Cage the Elephant, all with 9/10.
33 acts rated for Saturday. Top of the List are The Phoenix Foundation, with 9/10.
Okay, no surprises there! 3 out 4 of the above have featured in this blog already. 1 is about to (see my next post).
The Moment:
I'm currently listening to P-Money. I'm on track 16 of an album I would never otherwise hear. Will I see P-Money? I hope not. I'm not sure if my brain can take the remaining 4 tunes. It's like being talked at non-stop for 1 hour and 7 minutes. Some stages at Glastonbury are sure going grime this year.
The Odds of Success:
I will fail! It's not about winning. I couldn't bring myself to listen to U2. U2 can be blamed for tipping the balance. It's more enjoyable to blame U2 than the limitations of time!
More than Music:
Fabpants Recommends:
Here's a track from a lovely EP that's garnered the band an 8/10 in my pre-Glastonbury listings.
Download MP3: Summer Camp – Why Don’t You Stay (courtesy of wearethemascotte.fr)
Here's another cracking EP track, this time from GroupLove. This song gives me delightful earworm. I am tempted to move GroupLove from 7/10 to 8/10, but the rest of the EP didn't convince me!
Download MP3: Group Love – Colours (courtesy of digitalwell.washington.edu)
Friday, 27 May 2011
Not a lot About Nothing
It's been surprising cold today. As the day draws to a close, the sun is bright and the sky is blue.
Fabpants Recommends:
I listened to the new Cage the Elephant album 'Thank You, Happy Birthday' once on Wednesday, four times yesterday and I am listening to it RIGHT NOW! Join me. Take the rough with the smooth
The Rough...
Indy Kidz reminds me of The Violent Femmes – Add it Up...
The Smooth
...and Flow is plain lovely.
Fabpants Recommends:
I listened to the new Cage the Elephant album 'Thank You, Happy Birthday' once on Wednesday, four times yesterday and I am listening to it RIGHT NOW! Join me. Take the rough with the smooth
The Rough...
Indy Kidz reminds me of The Violent Femmes – Add it Up...
The Smooth
...and Flow is plain lovely.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Fabpants Festival Fever
It's fabulously official. I'm going to Glastonbury Festival, Latitude Festival and Camp Bestival this year.
This month, Brighton has been in full festival mode, with the Brighton Festival, the Brighton Fringe Festival and the Great Escape. I'm so in the festival spirit right now. YEAH BABY. YEAH. This is my season.
This week, I'm most excited about seeing The Great Wall of Vagina by Jamie McCartney. The images, in the programme alone, were a huge eye opener! Wow. All going well, that will be Tuesday’s treat.
For the past three weekends, I've been enjoying street theatre, free exhibitions and - of course - the vibe at large.
As well as enjoying upbeat treats, I would recommend a dip into Evolution of Fearlessness by Lynette Wallworth. It's at the University of Brighton Gallery (Grand Parade). The exhibition pays tribute to women who have survived horrors, such as wars‚ concentration camps or extreme acts of violence.
The exhibit encourages you to walk up to a screen, where each woman - on film - walks towards you. One by one, the women place their hand against yours and communicate with intense eye contact. It's surprisingly moving.
Fabpants Recommends:
I’m attempting (!) to listen to all the bands on the Glastonbury line up this year. Until the big Glastonbury Listening Exercise began, this act had slipped me by completely:
Download MP3: Jenny and Johnny - Animal (courtesy of cortesiadelacasa.com)
Download MP3: Jenny and Johnny - Big Wave (courtesy of whaleinacubicle.com)
This month, Brighton has been in full festival mode, with the Brighton Festival, the Brighton Fringe Festival and the Great Escape. I'm so in the festival spirit right now. YEAH BABY. YEAH. This is my season.
This week, I'm most excited about seeing The Great Wall of Vagina by Jamie McCartney. The images, in the programme alone, were a huge eye opener! Wow. All going well, that will be Tuesday’s treat.
For the past three weekends, I've been enjoying street theatre, free exhibitions and - of course - the vibe at large.
As well as enjoying upbeat treats, I would recommend a dip into Evolution of Fearlessness by Lynette Wallworth. It's at the University of Brighton Gallery (Grand Parade). The exhibition pays tribute to women who have survived horrors, such as wars‚ concentration camps or extreme acts of violence.
The exhibit encourages you to walk up to a screen, where each woman - on film - walks towards you. One by one, the women place their hand against yours and communicate with intense eye contact. It's surprisingly moving.
Fabpants Recommends:
I’m attempting (!) to listen to all the bands on the Glastonbury line up this year. Until the big Glastonbury Listening Exercise began, this act had slipped me by completely:
Download MP3: Jenny and Johnny - Animal (courtesy of cortesiadelacasa.com)
Download MP3: Jenny and Johnny - Big Wave (courtesy of whaleinacubicle.com)
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
Gig Review: What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?
I was babbling with excitement when I saw the programme. I made a little list, and then assertively committed to a plan. To make a Great Escape, one needs a solid strategy.
The Vaccines beat Yuck to the post. I've seen both before, don’t you know!
After finding a spot in The Corn Exchange, I kept it. I was a rubber rock for two bands in a row. I went up and down, but never more than 3 rows back. Outside the queue got longer and longer, wrapping itself round the Royal Pavilion like a drunken barricade. Over a thousand people tried and failed. I'm a jolly lucky thing.
The Vaccines stole the night. Anri Hjorvar raised his arms, clapped, and the night was set. Result!
Release your rhythmic force and the Vaccines won't let you go. Hundreds of ecstatic people threw their inhibitions to the wall. They joined the frenzy of the night.
The sparkling throng bounced against each other, hands reached out to catch the fallen, faces grinned with delight and lungs excitedly gasped. The breaks were short and sweet. That's what I call a gig.
The Vaccines nailed it. In a room of 1200 people, they found their stage presence. Justin Young looked across the room and allowed himself a smile. "What about you sceptics at the back?" he asked, "People couldn't get in because of you."
It must be must be a great relief to live up to the hype.
The Vaccines Set List
Under Your Thumb
Wreckin' Bar
Blow It Up
Wetsuit
Wolf Pack
If You Wanna
All in White
A Lack of Understanding
We’re Happening
Post Break Up Sex
Family Friend
Good Guys (Don’t Wear White) – The Standells Cover
Norgaard
I cycled home FLYING. I wanted to say 'hello' to everyone I saw. I wanted to share my immense feeling of joy. I wanted to make it universal. I was high: so high. The free wristband did that. The Vaccines did that. Signed, sealed and delivered.
Fabpants Recommends:
How can this not make you wanna bounce merrily with hundreds of people?
Download MP3: The Vaccines – Post Break-Up Sex (courtesy of blahblahblahscience.com)
The Vaccines beat Yuck to the post. I've seen both before, don’t you know!
After finding a spot in The Corn Exchange, I kept it. I was a rubber rock for two bands in a row. I went up and down, but never more than 3 rows back. Outside the queue got longer and longer, wrapping itself round the Royal Pavilion like a drunken barricade. Over a thousand people tried and failed. I'm a jolly lucky thing.
The Vaccines stole the night. Anri Hjorvar raised his arms, clapped, and the night was set. Result!
Release your rhythmic force and the Vaccines won't let you go. Hundreds of ecstatic people threw their inhibitions to the wall. They joined the frenzy of the night.
The sparkling throng bounced against each other, hands reached out to catch the fallen, faces grinned with delight and lungs excitedly gasped. The breaks were short and sweet. That's what I call a gig.
The Vaccines nailed it. In a room of 1200 people, they found their stage presence. Justin Young looked across the room and allowed himself a smile. "What about you sceptics at the back?" he asked, "People couldn't get in because of you."
It must be must be a great relief to live up to the hype.
The Vaccines Set List
Under Your Thumb
Wreckin' Bar
Blow It Up
Wetsuit
Wolf Pack
If You Wanna
All in White
A Lack of Understanding
We’re Happening
Post Break Up Sex
Family Friend
Good Guys (Don’t Wear White) – The Standells Cover
Norgaard
I cycled home FLYING. I wanted to say 'hello' to everyone I saw. I wanted to share my immense feeling of joy. I wanted to make it universal. I was high: so high. The free wristband did that. The Vaccines did that. Signed, sealed and delivered.
Fabpants Recommends:
How can this not make you wanna bounce merrily with hundreds of people?
Download MP3: The Vaccines – Post Break-Up Sex (courtesy of blahblahblahscience.com)
Monday, 16 May 2011
Gig Review: Naked Lunch and Infamous Tea
Following two years of feeling somewhat annoyed, I stopped buying tickets for the Great Escape. Why? Tickets are expensive, the queues are snakes and the auditory delicacy odds are as low as they go.
A free wristband is exactly what you need. I thank my sponsor.
I stood outside The Corn Exchange, 200 people in front of me, 800 behind, with an ever-fattening line. The math was simple: jump in or miss out. Blaggers came, bantered, blended and took lodge. The bulge bubbled with anticipatory glee. Queue jumping elicits a certain charm.
I lost track of who was who: original queue master or charismatic interloper. The retros became a rare breed. One by one, the venue spat out punters and we optimistically took their place.
With a wee in the pot, I headed straight for the front. I had just moments to spare.
The Naked and Famous, Brighton Corn Exchange, 14th May 2011
Ahhh. The Naked and Famous. They were fant-ace-tic! New Zealand has birthed a monumental force and I a new low for wit. It's the ace in the accent.
Feedback united with perfectly formed pop. It roared at the crowd like a majestic lion.
Oh me oh my, that bass. It was so heavy, the ground tingled. It's been a long time since my teeth rattled so. Distortion, rumbling resonance, synth-laden melody and wonderful 'female eats male' harmonies.
Sweep back the hair. Swallow the room with your dark meets light, fuzz greets pop, bass bites grace and the accumulative power of sonic wisdom. Then leave.
I have seen The xx live and you kicked their arse.
Naked and Famous Set List
All of This
Punching In A Dream
A Wolf In Geek's Clothing
The Sun
The Source
No Way
Girls Like You
Young Blood
Fabpants Recommends:
Get 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' this minute... It's an album you WILL worship. For full effect, turn the bass up LOUD and play Arkham Asylum.
Here's my fav:
Download MP3: The Naked and Famous – Girls Like You (theburningear.com)
A free wristband is exactly what you need. I thank my sponsor.
I stood outside The Corn Exchange, 200 people in front of me, 800 behind, with an ever-fattening line. The math was simple: jump in or miss out. Blaggers came, bantered, blended and took lodge. The bulge bubbled with anticipatory glee. Queue jumping elicits a certain charm.
I lost track of who was who: original queue master or charismatic interloper. The retros became a rare breed. One by one, the venue spat out punters and we optimistically took their place.
With a wee in the pot, I headed straight for the front. I had just moments to spare.
The Naked and Famous, Brighton Corn Exchange, 14th May 2011
Ahhh. The Naked and Famous. They were fant-ace-tic! New Zealand has birthed a monumental force and I a new low for wit. It's the ace in the accent.
Feedback united with perfectly formed pop. It roared at the crowd like a majestic lion.
Oh me oh my, that bass. It was so heavy, the ground tingled. It's been a long time since my teeth rattled so. Distortion, rumbling resonance, synth-laden melody and wonderful 'female eats male' harmonies.
Sweep back the hair. Swallow the room with your dark meets light, fuzz greets pop, bass bites grace and the accumulative power of sonic wisdom. Then leave.
I have seen The xx live and you kicked their arse.
Naked and Famous Set List
All of This
Punching In A Dream
A Wolf In Geek's Clothing
The Sun
The Source
No Way
Girls Like You
Young Blood
Fabpants Recommends:
Get 'Passive Me, Aggressive You' this minute... It's an album you WILL worship. For full effect, turn the bass up LOUD and play Arkham Asylum.
Here's my fav:
Download MP3: The Naked and Famous – Girls Like You (theburningear.com)
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Gig Review: The Accidental Escape
Last night I came home FLYING. I wanted to say ‘hello’ to everyone I saw. I wanted to share my immense feeling of joy. I wanted to make it universal. I was high: so high. Does anyone over 18 get as high as me without drugs or alcohol? Do you?
Yesterday, I ventured into town, to catch some Brighton Festival magic and to watch Amongst the Pigeons mixing up his own unique blend of sounds and beats, on a stage outside the library. I got more than I bargained for. Amongst the Pigeons not only got the toddlers dancing, he got me a Great Escape wristband. Yeah, baby. I could barely contain my excitement. To top that, the evening was even better than expected. It was IMMENSE.
I watched Hanna at the Odeon, announced ‘That was Ace!’, compared it to the film Species, and within minutes my Great Escape began. The Coalition is just a few minutes from the seafront cinema, and at The Coalition I saw K.Flay (Kristine Flaherty to her ex-teachers) and Foster the People.
K.Flay, Brighton Coalition, 14th May 2011
Is she too weak to be strong for you? Probably not. Forget the nervous breakdowns Flay. I’ve rarely seen a set so tight.
I knew nothing about K.Flay before seeing her at the Coalition. I came out of the loo, and there she was. Before long, I looked about the room. I wanted to make sure my ‘wow face’ was duplicated in other facial forms. It was.
K.Flay chops up and samples tunes, driving the beats and melody with force. Overlaying these, with a gentle tone, she issues rapidly delivered and deliciously crafted sentences. A melodic chorus splices in, to calm the moment, while the verses are trepanned through your skull, and at the end of air, a word becomes a yelp: like a bullet in the head.
K.Flay may have chopped up The Decemberists, to the delight of the indie rockers, but the stand out track was CRAZYtown. K.Flay is now on my radar. I keep hitting ‘download’ on her website.
Foster the People, Brighton Coalition, 14th May 2011
Last year, I was introduced to Foster the People’s Pumped Up Kicks. It’s an absolutely superb track. I checked out more of their songs on the internet. Only Last FM provided at that time. My conclusion was that Foster the People had some way to go to come close to matching Pumped Up Kicks. A friend of mine continued to drool over every track.
I took the opportunity to see Foster the People with relish. They have been compared to MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit. Opinion is best based on direct experience, and I like a bit of that.
The first track was Helena Beat, and the beat was surprising fierce. The extra drum, besides the main kit, got a proper smashing. Mark Fosters' falsetto wove in and out. I got the MGMT referencing, but - for me - it lacked the psychedelic grit to break the armour of my heart.
The second track was Miss You. The Vampire Weekend comparisons began to make sense. It’s like a dirty Vampire Weekend that hates all things sugary. At this point, I started to wonder why I don’t like this band as much as I should. Is it that I find the style pretentious, like a falsetto Beck, with 80s rock-dance gusto to boot?
Houdini bounded in: rock-dance drive full throttle. ‘Sometimes I want to disappear’, Foster revealed. I visualised high waxed hair, tight shiny trousers, 90s slacker rap and a tab of acid jazz. A million of middle class dwellings will no doubt pipe Foster the People through their surround sound speakers. I realised why Foster the People and me don’t work. While I can sum it up with one word: Jamiroquai.
I couldn’t fault the beat in Houdini. It caused the drum kit to collapse, and for the rest of the set, two men had a place on either side of the bass drum holding it in place.
While I enjoyed the gig, for t’was a good show, Hustling and Call it What You Want went on to confirm that Foster the People probably aren’t the band for me. When vocal style grates, what can you do?
Pumped Up Kicks was brilliant. I loved it. I then left during their final number. I had a queue to join. More about that tomorrow...
Fabpants Recommends:
Download MP3: K.Flay - CRAZYtown (courtesy of myindienation.com)
Download MP3: K.Flay – 2 Weak (courtesy of theswollenfox.com)
Download MP3: Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (laisthenewny.com)
Yesterday, I ventured into town, to catch some Brighton Festival magic and to watch Amongst the Pigeons mixing up his own unique blend of sounds and beats, on a stage outside the library. I got more than I bargained for. Amongst the Pigeons not only got the toddlers dancing, he got me a Great Escape wristband. Yeah, baby. I could barely contain my excitement. To top that, the evening was even better than expected. It was IMMENSE.
I watched Hanna at the Odeon, announced ‘That was Ace!’, compared it to the film Species, and within minutes my Great Escape began. The Coalition is just a few minutes from the seafront cinema, and at The Coalition I saw K.Flay (Kristine Flaherty to her ex-teachers) and Foster the People.
K.Flay, Brighton Coalition, 14th May 2011
Is she too weak to be strong for you? Probably not. Forget the nervous breakdowns Flay. I’ve rarely seen a set so tight.
I knew nothing about K.Flay before seeing her at the Coalition. I came out of the loo, and there she was. Before long, I looked about the room. I wanted to make sure my ‘wow face’ was duplicated in other facial forms. It was.
K.Flay chops up and samples tunes, driving the beats and melody with force. Overlaying these, with a gentle tone, she issues rapidly delivered and deliciously crafted sentences. A melodic chorus splices in, to calm the moment, while the verses are trepanned through your skull, and at the end of air, a word becomes a yelp: like a bullet in the head.
K.Flay may have chopped up The Decemberists, to the delight of the indie rockers, but the stand out track was CRAZYtown. K.Flay is now on my radar. I keep hitting ‘download’ on her website.
Foster the People, Brighton Coalition, 14th May 2011
Last year, I was introduced to Foster the People’s Pumped Up Kicks. It’s an absolutely superb track. I checked out more of their songs on the internet. Only Last FM provided at that time. My conclusion was that Foster the People had some way to go to come close to matching Pumped Up Kicks. A friend of mine continued to drool over every track.
I took the opportunity to see Foster the People with relish. They have been compared to MGMT, Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit. Opinion is best based on direct experience, and I like a bit of that.
The first track was Helena Beat, and the beat was surprising fierce. The extra drum, besides the main kit, got a proper smashing. Mark Fosters' falsetto wove in and out. I got the MGMT referencing, but - for me - it lacked the psychedelic grit to break the armour of my heart.
The second track was Miss You. The Vampire Weekend comparisons began to make sense. It’s like a dirty Vampire Weekend that hates all things sugary. At this point, I started to wonder why I don’t like this band as much as I should. Is it that I find the style pretentious, like a falsetto Beck, with 80s rock-dance gusto to boot?
Houdini bounded in: rock-dance drive full throttle. ‘Sometimes I want to disappear’, Foster revealed. I visualised high waxed hair, tight shiny trousers, 90s slacker rap and a tab of acid jazz. A million of middle class dwellings will no doubt pipe Foster the People through their surround sound speakers. I realised why Foster the People and me don’t work. While I can sum it up with one word: Jamiroquai.
I couldn’t fault the beat in Houdini. It caused the drum kit to collapse, and for the rest of the set, two men had a place on either side of the bass drum holding it in place.
While I enjoyed the gig, for t’was a good show, Hustling and Call it What You Want went on to confirm that Foster the People probably aren’t the band for me. When vocal style grates, what can you do?
Pumped Up Kicks was brilliant. I loved it. I then left during their final number. I had a queue to join. More about that tomorrow...
Fabpants Recommends:
Download MP3: K.Flay - CRAZYtown (courtesy of myindienation.com)
Download MP3: K.Flay – 2 Weak (courtesy of theswollenfox.com)
Download MP3: Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks (laisthenewny.com)
Monday, 9 May 2011
The Wicker Man
Sometimes Brighton steps up and reminds me why I chose to live here.
It's been a good week for it.
At the weekend the Brighton Festival began, as it always does, with the Children's Parade. I didn't stumble across the Children’s Parade this year. When I do, I have to hold back the tears. The sight of small children, parading the streets in homemade fancy dress, touches a silly soft place in my heart.
Instead, I started the festival by visiting three Open Houses. Then, as the weekend drew to a close, I headed to my favourite park in town: St Anne's Well Gardens. Yes, for two nights running, very nook and cranny of the park devoted itself to the magical reverence of fire. Last night, it gently unfolded itself to me.
It was enchanting in every way.
Come back next year Jardin Flambeau. Pretty please.
It's been a good week for it.
At the weekend the Brighton Festival began, as it always does, with the Children's Parade. I didn't stumble across the Children’s Parade this year. When I do, I have to hold back the tears. The sight of small children, parading the streets in homemade fancy dress, touches a silly soft place in my heart.
Instead, I started the festival by visiting three Open Houses. Then, as the weekend drew to a close, I headed to my favourite park in town: St Anne's Well Gardens. Yes, for two nights running, very nook and cranny of the park devoted itself to the magical reverence of fire. Last night, it gently unfolded itself to me.
It was enchanting in every way.
Come back next year Jardin Flambeau. Pretty please.
