RECORD OF THE WEEK - GYPSY AND THE CAT, Time to Wander

I HOLD my hands up. 
I only bothered to listen to this because I like the band name – but I’m glad I did. 
Gypsy and the Cat’s upcoming single Time to Wander (out June 21) is a gentle synthy-pop song that’s memorable, gentle and lends itself to a good Ibiza beach tune remix. 
And the Aussie duo – Xavier Bacash and Lionel Towers – only began making music a year ago.
I couldn't find an official video but you can see the Joan of Arc remix here.

LIAM GALLAGHER IN JOG SHOCK + LITTLE J'S RECKLESS MEDICINE

WHAT'S happening to our rock idols? They’re getting respectable in their old age. My spies spotted an early morning jogger legging it through Hampstead last week, dressed in all the kit. Closer inspection revealed it to be Liam Gallagher. I’d say this is a more shocking image than the usual pics of him swearing and scowling at photographers.

• There’s something uncomfortable about watching Gossip Girl actress Taylor Momsen fronting The Pretty Reckless. Over here recently on tour with her 40-something band, the 16-year-old singer/actress resembled a character from Tim Burton’s The Corpse Bride – spindly, pale, and with eyeshadow so heavy, her eyes were two bottomless holes. In interviews she came across almost as moody as her character little Jenny has become, and equally as pretentious. But, I’m ready to give her the benefit of the doubt – it could just be the trappings of fame and naivety of youth. Her mesh of Courtney Love grungy angst and Juliette Lewis’s country twang is mesmerising and her vocals are unexpectedly soul-laden. Single Make Me Wanna Die is out now and debut album is released later this year. Look out for My Medicine, easily the best of the short selection I’ve heard so far. This is the clearest footage of the My Medicine I could find.

• One Taste, one of south London’s hottest underground music and spoken word nights, has been the launchpad for many fledgling unsigned acts. Scroobius Pip, Beth Rowley and Newton Falkner have all graced its stage and now it’s coming to Camden. One Taste Koko brings together unsigned acts with established artists in an alternative showcase on June 16, featuring Va Voi Woon, Polarbear, Kate Tempest, David J, and Mercury nominees Portico Quartet.

ANGHA - THEY'RE QUITE HAPPY YOU KNOW

THERE'S the one who can sprint really fast, the playboy, and the man with the irresistible voice. Angha sound more like a slick team of crimefighters than the latest R’n’B band from Islington.

But that’s exactly what they are – a trio of musicians who first realised their mutual dream of being in a band over a game of football. They still have day jobs, two still work in gyms and another has a council office job – but they’re on the verge of breaking through into the mainstream.

They were due to support 90s US group Dru Hill at the 02 Academy Islington on Monday – now postponed, apparently thanks to Sisqo’s seafood allergy – and have gained great support from radio networks. Producer D-Dash and vocalists/ rappers, Play and DVD make up Angha.

Former Highbury Grove pupil Play, 25, said: “Play comes from playboy. I party a lot and like having a good time anywhere I think there’s a party going on. DVD stands for Divine Vocal Dialect – the ladies tend to love his voice – and Dash comes from when we played football. He used to be a sprinter.

"Dash is the comedian of the group. He’s always got tricks up his sleeve. DVD's the most serious. He pulls everyone together. He acts the oldest.””

He admits the band name’s deliberately misleading: "Dash stumbled over Angha and realised it meant a mythical bird that gives kindness and goodwill. From the pronunciation people are going to be drawn to it and think it’s an angry group, but if they research it they will see it’s the opposite of what it appears.”

As teenagers, the group would play football together, later realising they were all interested in music. They would hang out in Dash’s studio where they would write songs to his beats. Play started writing his own material aged 15, putting it on karaoke machines. 

“I was probably writing about playing football, or girls or little teenage experiences, having a crush for the first time,” he said. “Now, it’s about experiences, relationships, going out, partying, going to clubs.”

Debut single For You is out on June 7 and Angha have already established their own label.

Play said: "Major labels like to see the following you've got before you can approach them.We wanted to keep our own creative freedom. If you’re on your own label and they become interested in you, you can ask them to sign up your label and you can control your direction. The music game is cutthroat at times and you’ve got to be prepared.”
Play, who lives in Stoke Newington, said: “I loved growing up in Islington. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I was fortunate. You hear a lot of people going the wrong way in life but there was so much for me to do. There was Mayville Community Centre, football. Life was easier. The majority of time was cheerful.”
Angha recently played The Cross Kings for a British Heart Foundation charity gig, proving they can appeal to all audiences.
Play said: “It wasn’t our sort of crowd but because it was a charity event we were more than happy to be performers. It was mostly indie bands. The reaction and feedback was really good. They were pleasantly surprised. It was probably the biggest nerves I’ve had but they were brilliant.”

BLOB Angha launch debut single For You at Elbow Room, Chapel Market, on June 6.

ANTI RADAR FUNK BOYS DROPPING THEIR TUNES IN A CHARITY SHOP NEAR YOU

NEXT time you're flicking through the vinyls in Marylebone High Street's most famous Oxfam store, spare a thought for the cassette rack.

It may just be that amongst the countless discarded tapes of A-Ha, M People and Michael Bolton, a priceless treasure is lurking. 
The guys behind music blog The Soulful Strut love nothing better than to trawl the record stores for some rare recordings and now they've decided to share the love.

They've been putting together compilations of killer funk and soul 45s - including copies of some of their most precious finds - and secretly depositing them on the shelves of charity shops across London - usually to be found in the NW1 area, though they do stray further afield.
So if you see a clearly marked Anti-Radar Funk tape, just know, these secret offerings are more precious than Willy Wonka's golden ticket, and worth even more than the keys to a chocolate factory.

In fact, when you do take it to the charity shop till and they ask for the measly 50p or whatever the going rate for second-hand charity shop cassette tapes is these days, offer more - you know the true worth. 
This is a treasure hunt that gives few clues and no map.
And to add to the mystery, they've posted a couple of clips of the secret tape drops on their blog - can you work out where the latest one has been deposited?

http://thesoulfulstrut.blogspot.com/2010/05/anti-radar-funk-v-home-of-britpop.html

Let this be the beginning of a movement that inspires many of like mind...

GOOD TUNES LOST IN A BAD NAME

REMEMBER those naff compilation tapes they used to sell in Woolworths?
Back in the day I picked one up which turned out to be one of my favourite summer tapes ever, a classic selection of lazy hip-hop tunes featuring the likes of De la Soul, Tribe Called Quest and Bomb the Bass.
I listened to it on repeat for one long school holiday, then I lost it at some sleepover party.
So, 18 years on, I've embarked on a hunt to find a copy, although I'm not having much luck online.
What I've learned so far is it was released on July 20, 1992, on a label called Dino Entertainment and no-one seems to have a copy.
It was a brilliant selection of summer tunes that definitely need a resurrection but don't be put off by the twee name - Let's Talk About Love.
In the meantime, while my search continues, I thought I'd put the full track listings on here so anyone who's so inclined can replicate the playlist on their i-Pod.
Let me know if you have a copy - and put a comment on this post if you like the songs.

1 – Set Adrift on Memory Bliss, PM Dawn

2 – Summertime, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

3 – Unfinished Sympathy (Nellee Hooper 7" Mix), Massive Attack

4 – Dub Be Good to Me, Beats International

5 – Have You Seen Her?, MC Hammer

6 – There's Nothing Like This, Omar

7 – It's a Shame (My Sister), Monie Love featuring True Image

8 – The Rain, Oran' Juice Jones

9 – On a Sunday Afternoon, Lighter Shade of Brown featuring Shiro

10 – Winter in July, Bomb The Bass

11 – Do You Want Me (Vocal Version), Salt ‘N’ Pepa

12 – Now That We Found Love, Heavy D and the Boyz

13 – Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey) (Party Line Edit), De La Soul

14 – Can I Kick It?, Tribe Called Quest

15 – Wear Your Love Like Heaven, Definition Of Sound

16 – Lovesick, Gang Starr

17 – Wishing on a Star, Fresh 4 (Children Of The Ghetto)

18 – Gangsta Luv, South Central Cartel

19 – I Need Love, LL Cool J

20 – Why Can't We Live Together (Lasting Peace Mix), Timmy Thomas

COLLABORATIONS I'D LIKE TO SEE - PART I

AMY Winehouse and Paolo Nutini?

Just a thought...

MUTYA BUENA'S CAMDEN CONNECTION? AND MORE...

EVER walked by Stables Market and thought: “I want to capture that sound forever?” Well, the guys who own the market have roped in ex-Sugababe Mutya Buena to guest on a series of albums called The Sound of Camden. I’m not sure what her Camden connection is but Mutya’s promo quote says: “I am connected to the market and now I am singing songs that my mother loves as well, it’s amazing.”

The albums, sold at 2,800 market stalls, cover electronic, classic and revolutionary sounds of bands such as U2, The Pixies, The Rolling Stones and more, featuring tracks that are synonymous with the sound of Camden.

• Beware the small print. I couldn’t believe it when I read Blackstreet were playing at The Hill, Haverstock Hill on Friday. Then I heard it was two ex-members and a guy who was never in the original band – anyone know different?

• Jongleurs hasn’t left Camden but the venue has been renamed Highlight. There’s a pop-up variety cabaret show on Tuesday (May 25) including Mandy Muden MC – who combines comedy and magic, ping-pong ball mouth juggler Rod Laver, musical impressionist Duncan Wisbey, comedy circus performance artist Kaliki Hula Girl, 16-stone prima ballerina Madame Galina, the world’s fastest tap-dancer James Devine, and octogenarian Barry from Watford – got to beat any Britain’s Got Talent line-up. Tickets from 0844 499 4064 orwww.thehighlight.co.uk

• Sadly just learned I missed out on a screening of Love Story, a documentary about Arthur Lee’s genius psychedelic band Love at Westminster Reference Library on Monday. I heard Darwin Deez recently played there too. Definitely a venue to keep an eye on.
Here's Arthur Lee in later years - still struggling to find footage of him with the original line-up.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - FAITHLESS, Not Going Home

THE festival season is upon us. And what outdoor bash would be complete without the latest Faithless anthem. Sadly, their first single in four years is not quite the banging tune we’ve come to expect. It’s more like a mellow mid-album gentle club track. Still it’s good to hear Maxi Jazz’s comforting tones remain crystal at the ripe old age of 52.

BILLY BRAGG ET AL IN VOTES BETRAYAL, HURTS' OPERATIC TURN, AC/DC'S STRAIGHT MAN AND THE ROCK 'N ROLL SUPERGROUP

MUSICIANS love their causes don’t they? And when it comes to politics, some of our most outspoken ones just have to interfere. 

Yet I'm starting to feel sorry for all those figures who backed the Lib Dems and told all their followers to do the same. Judging by the comments on Twitter, Billy Bragg, Jon McClure and Dan le Sac are feeling a little bit cheated right now. They never expected a Lib Dem vote to morph into a Tory one overnight. 

Le Sac is demanding his vote back, McClure says “Nick Clegg What ya done man?” and poor old Bragg’s just opened a “kick my ass” page on Facebook. Hard times.

• I caught electro-80s duo Hurts at Koko’s NME Radar gig on Monday. You wouldn’t have a clue these guys are so young.

They managed to create incredible drama with little fuss – and just one male opera singer. Frontman Theo Hutchcraft - in smooth black suit and white scarf combo and gelled hair so shiny you could see your face in it - commanded the stage with the puissance of the Phantom of the Opera. Rumour has it he carries a little comb with him at all times so not a hair falls out of place. Look oout for the onstage grooming.

After hearing it live, I’d like to recall my original review for new single Better Than Love, which has all the makings of a festival anthem.

• Die-hard AC/DC fans – did you know the band’s original singer was called Dave Evans? Not such a rock ’n’ roll name as Bonn Scott but that’s not his fault. Anyway he’s coming to Holloway’s The Gaff on May 26 – for those who need to complete their rock education.

• A little-known supergroup of sorts, The John Moore Rock and Roll Trio, have been playing a series of fortnightly retro gigs at Lower Ground Bar, 269 West End Lane.

Head there to see what became of the remnants of the Jesus and Mary Chain, Black Box Recorder, Lush and The Soledad Brothers – when they turned to old fashioned rock ’n’ roll and blues. Dates on their MySpace page myspace.com/johnmoorerockandrolltrio

RECORD OF THE WEEK - THE CHAKRAS Build Me a Swan

THEY'VE not released an album yet but this Dublin five-piece could just have struck the right chord with this single. From the first note it builds into a mega-indie anthem. 
They've been touting it around for a while but it's officially out on June 21.
The vocals are a little surprising, a slight Brian Molko tone, and a little higher than expected, but they are grounded by the choral backdrop.
Expect to hear this on a radio soon. 
Their most recent video on YouTube just seems to be a collection of photo stills so I've picked this earlier version from 2008.

OZZY OZBOURNE GOES DARK FOR THE ROUNDHOUSE ITUNES FESTIVAL

TIME was, Ozzy Osbourne was primarily associated with Black Sabbath, alter-ego The Prince of Darkness and his on and offstage antics.

But in these days of celebrity obsession, half his family have overtaken him. The media spotlight spends more time shining on wife Sharon’s celebrity judge stints, daughter Kelly’s weight-loss and son Jack’s latest daredevil stunt.

In turn, Ozzy’s become the Boris Johnson face of heavy metal – a harmless-looking amiable mumbling chap, with unkempt hair, a questionable past and  oft-seen wobbling on  two wheels. But give the guy a break, he’s taking his limelight back and will be trying to be as convincing as possible as The Prince of Darkness at July’s month-long iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse.

The full 31-day line-up – featuring more than 60 acts – has not yet been announced but we do know Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett, Faithless, The XX, Chew Lips, The Drums, Chipmunk, Darwin Deez, Ellie Goulding, Kate Nash, Diana Vickers and Daisy Dares You are all on the bill. 

Pick the right gig and you could inevitably find yourself witnessing one of those rare, historic sets that brings more than you bargained for. At last year’s festival Liam Gallagher made headlines at one of Oasis’s final performances when he strode on stage in a furious mood, eyeballing the crowd and swearing about students throwing beer at him. Even so, they played on for two hours, although at times it looked like Liam was about to go on strike.

The atmosphere between him and Noel was visibly tense, as big bro dismissed his sulky younger sibling and played on while Liam collected himself. But the entire evening was electric and one that won’t easily be forgotten. The irreparable cracks were pushed further apart and it was only a matter of time until our boys just couldn't stand to share the same stage any more.

The iTunes sets are usually quite short but who’s complaining when there’s the chance to see some huge acts up close for free. 

That’s not to say you can just walk in. Apple is making tickets available through Facebook and a series of competitions and giveaways. My only reservation about this is it seems you can only access their iTunes page by allowing it to access your own Facebook page and take the details of your friends.

I may be wrong about this, but I could find no other way of getting on to it. 

It will be the first time that Ozzy, Scissor Sisters and Tony Bennett have graced the Roundhouse stage.

All performances will be recorded and can be bought from iTunes stores worldwide. The best of the festival will be broadcast on ITV.

• Visit www.itunesfestival.co.uk

CAMDEN CRAWL - WATERLOGGED AND WONDERFUL - DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP, ROLO TOMASSI, PENDULUM, CASIO KIDS, MAN LIKE ME, THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS AND MORE

RIVERS of black eyeliner streamed down Camden High Street as buckets of torrential rain threatened to wash away thousands of Camden Crawlers last weekend.
Unlucky for the ballet pump-clad crawlers queuing all the way to Morrisons car park waiting to swap their tickets for wristbands, Saturday was a warm washout.
Sunday was dry but infinitely chillier, the miserable kind that takes hold of your bones, amounting to equal stints of sprinting between venues and subsequent reluctance to move on to the next.

(Drenched Camden Crawlers enjoy Man Like Me)

An impromptu rave by collective Red Pill London, which sprung up under a small-time gazebo, ended abruptly when police swooped in and collared DJ “The Brain” – for “inciting a riot”. I was there, it wasn't a riot. LostProphets later leapt to his defence – see footage at www.youtube.com/RedPillLondon.

The few secret gigs were mostly tucked safely away from the real people in the VIP bar at Lock 17. Rumours of Johnny Depp joining Babybird and Mick Jones with Roots Manuva fell flat, but how important are the clandestine ones when there's already a packed timetable?

There were a few disappointments as Villagers, Joe Gideon and the Shark and others were unable to play, and creative crises as we were forced to choose between headliners.
Delays and The Drums, previous picks of mine, were casualties of scheduling only a time-machine could solve. Yet there were big gaps in the evenings, where a bunch of gigs would end with nothing scheduled for 45 minutes - staggering would be welcome next year.

Aside from these minor strategic issues, we found plenty of raw talent to keep us entertained.
Another triumphant, if soggy Camden Crawl.
Here's a round-up of some of the acts I made it to:

ROLO TOMASSI - RED BULL OUTDOOR STAGE

An enigma – switching from tuneless, eyes-rolling-to-the-back-of-their-heads, roaring hardcore rock to almost deconstructed jazzy instrumentals, mathrock giants Rolo Tomassi were captivating but painful to listen to. It was hard to tear away from lead singer Eva Spence, who sounded like a sweet young girl when chatting, but became a freaky possessed wildcat with a piercing screech, when the music began, singing the odd delicate tuneful refrain. Not one for me.

CASIO KIDS, then KATY B - JAZZ CAFE
A welcome change of pace, light in sound, happy electro, they attracted huge queues and quite rightly so. The kind of guys you want to hang out with, because you know it’d be fun.
Katy B's soul had hints of rude-girl attitude but was a bit too loungey. An accomplished singer who feels every word.

PLAN B – ROUNDHOUSE

Plan B rocked the camp bouncer look. Switching from rudeboy rapper to shiny suited doorman, to cheesy house dancer to Marvin Gaye-soul, Plan B played a confusing set. He was a little light on the rap, focusing more on his crooning, but maybe not quite what his crowd was waiting for. Each time he did burst into a short rap, the audience cheered their approval.

EMILY BARKER - BLACK CAP
Described by Andy Ross as having one of the best voices in the country, Australian singer Barker, with fiddle and accordion accompanists played a pure set of beautiful country/folk.

PENDULUM - ROUNDHOUSE

What better way to dry out than to launch into the swirling tumble drier of a mosh pit for Pendulum. Their tunes didn’t need much variety, and too right, a track from their new album (plugged 300 times), verged on euro-dance and sounded flat. So a wise return to the repetitive beats, mindless MCing, the odd varied bassline and a bit of electronica. The ultimate professionals, Pendulum are masters of winding up frantic drum ‘n bass to the highest scale.

TIM TEN YEN - SPREADEAGLE

Food Records’ Andy Ross’ picks were varied and enthralling. Lanky besuited Tim Ten Yen, whose only accompaniments were the smallest keyboard in the world and a sleeping battery-powered cat, had an air of John Hegley about him. Geeky synth-pop, comic vocals and uncle dancing.

MAN LIKE ME - OUTDOOR STAGE
So good we saw them twice. Only the most hardy braved the outdoor stage on day one. Many questioned if the acts would even bother to turn up, but all credit to them, they did. Nothing would dampen Man Like Me’s spirits, they played like the sun was blazing, frontman Johnny Langer coming on under a Lidl bag. And they managed to raise a party from the small but formidable umbrella-clutching crowd. They played a triumphant show at Electric Ballroom at midnight, turning the crowd into one big house bash. It’s hard not to smile when they’re around.

GAGGLE - ELECTRIC BALLROOM

There was considerable buzz around this female choir who sing about modern-east-London type female dilemmas “How can I tell if My Man is a Liar” in a freaky tribal confrontational, don’t mess with us way, while sounding a little like the pickpockets from the musical Oliver!
Wearing colourful rags, they looked more like the latest wannabe Britain's Got Talent dance troupe but, although credit due for their bold attempts to be different - not something I'd like to hear more of.

THE HUNDRED IN THE HANDS - DINGWALLS
Moody electro duo. Guy plays guitar, girl fiddles about with electric things, runs her hands through her hair a lot and pouts under her fringe. Sound great. They should be French.

DAN LE SAC vs SCROOBIUS PIP - RED BULL OUTDOOR STAGE

The only other act I saw twice. They command a loyal following, many thousands on twitter and many more in real life. A drier Hawley Crecent was packed for their earlier show, Le Sac a perfect wing-man to Giant Pip’s almost preacher-like demeanour. Extremely accessible, Pip was correct when he told me his music brought together followers from all walks of life – people you’d never expect to see enjoying the same gig. Their evening Electric Ballroom set turned into one huge messianic party – a clearly memorable show.

PROFESSOR GREEN - THE ROUNDHOUSE
Forced to play the evening set after endless delays during the Sugababes, Professor Green came on bounding with energy. He’s got a cheeky young voice and his hit “I Need you Tonight” was just that.

BABYBIRD - DUBLIN CASTLE

Stephen Jones aka Babybird was in fine voice, though a little nervous he wouldn’t be playing to anyone who’d actually heard of him. He was wrong. It was an all-age crowd and he won a warm reception.

LEAFCUTTER JOHN - BARFLY

His atmospheric solo was drowned out by the rudest baying Barfly crowd in history. Where in other venues, similar acts were respected, something strange was happening here. He soldiered on and the few who were listening were mesmerised. But it’s hard to believe he was not affected by the confidence-shattering reception

THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA - SPREADEAGLE
Last of Andy Ross' picks, New Age Canadian four-piece with haunting harmonies, a cross between Simon and Garfunkle and Fleet Foxes – a laid-back mid-afternoon interlude with Tibetan singing bowls and a cello.

ANOTHER BAND - ICE WHARF
Emerging Talent Award winners Another Band brought “atmosphere” to the Ice Wharf – absent since the day it opened – you know what I’m saying. We actually witnessed rhythm in the dancing crowd.

CAMDEN CRAWL GOSSIP - OBLIVIOUS PETE DOHERTY, AMY WINEHOUSE'S EVENING JOB, SCROOBIUS PIP'S ELECTION PREDICTION AND SPEECH DEBELLE BITES BACK

AS Pete Doherty swayed in a Camden High Street alleyway and Amy Winehouse pulled pints in the Dublin Castle, it was difficult to picture the two in their Camden Crawl heyday. At one time the celebrated highlights of the festival, it was a bitter reminder of the changing fortunes of plagued young stars. Winehouse’s turn – does she get paid, I wonder? – is obviously not her true profession, but the question remains, when will she get back to the day job?

Doherty, in red and gold Libertines jacket, was vacant, distracted, and more concerned with the dingy flat he disappeared into – almost oblivious of the Crawl going on around him, though he did manage to make it to NW1 bar later. 

What next for these two?

• Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip (pictured) had a novel way of deciding the election. Dishing out cardboard masks of Brown, Cameron and Clegg to three “mental” young lads at the front, they asked the crowd to cheer the best dancer. Cameron drew the boos, Brown fared pretty well, but the big cheers were reserved for Clegg – “liberal indie festival-goers”, muttered Pip at the result.

At least it was more decisive than the current election result.

• Critics beware, the talent can bite back. One reviewer’s just earned Speech Debelle’s twitter wrath after saying she played to a half-empty room and a bemused Dingwalls crowd who didn’t know who she was.

She said: “No matter how much you achieve in life there’s people...who will always try to tear you down. The internet gives life to haters who would otherwise be too afraid to spew there hate for fear of retribution. Just read an article were he said I performed to a ‘half empty room’ at Camden Crawl. Come on dude. STOP IT! your cant stop me even if you are “bemused” at how I won.”

Sadly I can’t tell you how full the room was – I was elsewhere.

CAMDEN BRAWL - DRAMA IN THE STREETS OF CAMDEN AS POLICE BREAK UP GUERILLA RAVE

THERE was drama in the streets of Camden at the weekend as police broke up a guerilla street rave, allegedly telling DJs they were “inciting a riot”.

As has become an unofficial Camden Crawl tradition, a group of mobile DJs and MCs, part of a collective known as Red Pill London, keen to entertain the crawlers queuing in the rain, started an unsanctioned street party on Saturday.

They rolled a “pimped-up” rig, powered by a generator, around Camden’s streets, recruiting DJs The Brain, Dirty Little Secrets and Vincenzo “Pepper” Siracusa, as well as electro-pop outfit The MidiMidis blasting out everything from dubstep to rock.
But as people spilled into the road, Camden police swooped in and collared DJ “The Brain”, part of collective Red Pill London, for a public order offence.

He was arrested, still wearing his headphones, under section 50 of the Police Reform Act, for playing music in the streets without a licence.

The Brain, whose real name is Mark Brady, said: “It seems crazy for the police to arrest me and handle it in the way they did when I was just contributing to the ­festival.
“At one point it was described to me as ‘inciting a riot’. They seemed pretty confused about what they were charging me with.”
As hundreds of people began dancing on the pavements under Camden Lock bridge, the police passed by.

Mr Brady said: “Then a meat wagon pulled up. I was ripped back with my headphones still on and before I knew it I was thrown into the van.”
He was taken to Kentish Town police station where he was held until 3.30am on Sunday morning.
Mr Brady says he is still not sure if he is being charged with anything or if he has to pay a fine.
Officers say he should expect a court summons in the post.
“We did this purely as a way of entertaining people in the queues,” said Mr Brady. “It’s not part of the official Crawl but has become a bit of a tradition to have an unofficial street party. We’ve put our footage on YouTube. It’s a real shame the police had to go and spoil it for everyone. Everyone was having a really great time up until it was brought to an early end and we’ve already received lots of messages asking when we are next playing.”
A Camden Police spokeswoman said: “At approximately 6.50pm police received a complaint of a man playing music outside on a path. The man had been warned on two previous occasions to stop and remove his equipment. At approximately 8pm, officers again found the man playing music outside. The man did not have the correct licence and was shortly arrested for a breach of the Licensing Act. The man has been released and will be summonsed to court.”
• See footage of the arrest at www.youtube.com/RedPillLondon

CAMDEN CRAWL MOMENT - TRY NOT TO SMILE WHEN MAN LIKE ME ARE ONSTAGE, I DARE YOU

THE Camden Crawl's been a test of endurance this year and it's only Sunday morning.
At times it felt like there was some anti-crawl giant chucking buckets of water from the skies to try to wash us all away.
But there are some bands that never seem to let anything dampen their spirits and Man Like Me are one of them.
They may not be instant pop chart toppers and they won't fit into any alt/indie pigeonhole, they just do their own ska-inspired thing and it's joyous!
If you get a chance to see them live I defy you not to smile.
Here's a couple of their older singles, which should help explain what I'm talking about (if you can get over all the meat in the background of London Town!).
Their line-up has since changed and increased, making them possibly even greater showmen than before.





More crawl news later.