Radio Ra Ra: June 2017

Wednesday, 21 June 2017

Bastille @ The Eden Sessions

Bastille - during their final song, Pompeii

Bastille @ The Eden Project

Energetic, Entertaining and Enthusiastic

The Eden Project has always been one of the top, if not the best, venues in Cornwall since they began in 2002 with Pulp - also the first gig I went to! So yes- a little biased- but I firmly believe there's something unique about the experience. I still remember the bareness of the old clay pit - which as I return again and again appears greener every time.

Bastille has been a household name ever since their debut album, Bad Blood, and the mega-hit that was their single Pompeii, I have to admit, with a weakness for History, I have a high appreciation for their story telling throwbacks. During another early hit, Icarus, Frontman Dan Smith, primary songwriter and founder, wound his way through the crowd. He made sure even those at the back felt fully involved as those early birds who had managed to grab a front spot by the stage before even Rationale (supporting) took to the stage.

They had energy and some sharp political commentary on Theresa May - an actor dressed as her on a screen mimed and held a book with the words "strong and stable" on the cover. The stand out though is the recording studio quality music and singing. It's a gig which will surely be remembered fondly by the audience for a lifetime.

Top Tracks

Roasting in the studio today!

Coast Lunchtime 12:00 - 14:00
@ Coast FM 96.5 & 97.2

The Lovin' Spoonful - Summer in the City

Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head

Nena - 99 Red Balloons

The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

Buggles - Video Killed the Radio Star

Saturday, 17 June 2017

Top Tacks and Summer Sounds

Top Tracks, Golowan & Summer Sounds

Some of the best picks this week include Bastille and Madness who will both performed at the Eden Project this week, kicking off one of the best Summer line-ups to date! This entry is a bit late, as I was in the crowds at Bastille myself! Pictures will be up soon!

Don't forget Golowan starts this week 16th - 25th June - follow the What's on Diary for more details.

Coast Lunchtime 12:00 - 14:00
@ Coast FM 96.5 & 97.2

Bastille - Icarus

Noisettes - Don't Upset the Rhythm (Go Baby, Go)

Shakira - Whenever, Wherever

The Boo Radleys - Wake Up Boo!

Madness - It Must Be Love

Saturday, 10 June 2017

BBC Blast From the Past - Blast in Penzance 2010

Cover for Penzance Wex (Work Experience) Facebook Page - Pictures Edited by Rhiannon Richards

Nearly seven years ago, the BBC Blast Tour came to the Wharfside Car Park in Penzance.

Today's post is a throwback to when I achieved a Work Experience Placement during their BBC Blast Tour. It was a brilliant time, working as a member of the Work Experience Team. Truly a group effort, we were partnered with Event Cornwall, travelling to local schools encouraging Children to sign up for creative workshops. I had a crash course in using brand new computer programmes used to play and manufacture music and then help teach children visiting the mobile van. Other workshops that took place included Dance with the Big Dance Company, whose group Flava reached Britain's Got Talent 2008 semi-finals.

On the last day, we helped to put together an event with entertainment showing just what all the teens attending had achieved. This was my first real experience working as a floor manager- You can check out the final Showcase on the archived website here.

Image from Penzance Wex Facebook Page

Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Coast Lunchtime - Top Tracks & Wonder Woman Review

Wonder Woman is the film which had the most to lose and everything to gain - and it more than delivered.

*** Spoiler Warning ***

Diana (Gal Gadot), Princess of Themiscyra , is something of an innocent at the start of the film- albeit a fully trained Amazon - optimistic she can stop the war by killing her one true nemesis, Ares the God of War (David Thewlis). Anyone vaguely familiar with comics knows that whilst Wonder Woman is truly iconic, there's no one Wonder Woman story that stands out as definitive to the wider population- no "one true" villain such as a Joker or a Luthor. Cleverly, this is turned into a strength. Experiencing the reality of World War One, Diana begins to doubt that her own nemesis even exists, and begins to question the futility of helping mankind when it becomes clear that there are no "good guys" and "bad guys." There's also something refreshing in how her innocence isn't mocked or demeaned but used to expose absurdities in the real world.

This is definitely a homage to the first Captain America film - through more than just the blond haired blue eyed Steve played by an actor named Chris (Pine) and the band of misfits that could stand in for the "Howling Commandos." However, it's opening sequence and presence of Gal Gadot's portrayal that really sets itself apart. After years of Iron Man, Batman, Spider-Man... Wonder Woman going over the top of the trenches was something we needed to see. It meshes one of the darkest periods of humanity with a sense that optimism in the best of us is not just ok, but essential. Whilst the centre of the film drags a little, the action was well done if not groundbreaking. The only odd directorial moment I thought was at the end was when Diana retrieves her sword after Ares reveals himself, which probably could have been smoothed over as it didn't have any dramatic significance.

The first female-led superhero movie since the less than stellar outings of Catwoman and Elektra had high expectations- it could kill hopes for another ten years, or it could prove that it's not just a niche market and the appetite is there. Surpassing both fan and critic's expectations despite the slightly weak end, it remains to be seen if the Justice League, the next big challenge for DC and Warner Bros, will live up to this new bar.