It went off with a bang at the weekend on Strand Street for the opening weekend of the Carnival bar.
The facelifted Strand 58/Rendezvous has a Latino-flavoured paint job and no expense spared sound system; all in all a very welcome addition to the scene.
The proof was in the pudding; it was full to capacity both Friday and Saturday. Circus performers set the Carnival atmosphere before the ‘crazy ass yessirs with the tiny guitars’ Duke Ukem rocked the crowd as only ukulele-armed punks can. Everyone did the twist to the infectious surf rock of Mr Eliminator and the Deadly Vipers, before a complete change of pace; the stage was tucked away, extending the dancefloor for the funk of Ballagroove DJs before DJ Christian Clague turned the house up to 11.
On Saturday night I walked into a different vibe altogether; darkened and hushed with the spotlight on guitarist Ste Quinn and exceptional singer Susan Norman.
It showed off the versatility of the venue; it would lend itself as well to a poetry night as it would a rave.
My own band Hoodoo Nation stepped up for a set afterwards, and had a blast. I lost about two kilos of sweat under those lights though, hopefully the air-con gets sorted out soon enough.
The rest of August is jam-packed.
The delectable Jeff Jepson played last night (Wednesday); tonight it’s electro from Candy Blasta, with the Alex Harris Trio supported by Kris Breadner on Friday, and soulful duo Electric Railway headlining Saturday.
Next Wednesday is songwriter Niki Maden and young rockers Honourable play Thursday, before the jewel in the crown Heymoonshaker on Friday (see next week’s Island Life for more on these pair, or stick their name into YouTube and set yourself to ‘blown away’ mode).
Southern Audio Conspiracy headline next Saturday.
