MOURNING THE ELECTRIC PROMS + GRANDMASTER FLASH + MEN + MORE

THERE were some genius moments in the glory days of the BBC Electric Proms Festival. Over its brief life it sent out talons, expanded to new venues, branched out in Liverpool, brought in obscure artists and became one of the highlights of Camden’s music calendar.


(Stunning Nitin Sawhney evening ft Natty 2008)

The mantra “creating new moments in music” was hammered into our brains and for a time had some justification – remember Africa Express, Mongrel at Barfly and Liam Gallagher’s Oasis return angry fireworks?



Not to mention The Last Shadow Puppets' incredible show at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.



But somehow it lost its Mojo, the very mantra forever etched in our minds fell from the BBC’s own consciousness.
Last year’s event was cut to three days and although it’s pleasant to know Neil Diamond, Elton John and Robert Plant are still alive, there was little new about their appearances.
Perhaps if we could all get off the BBC’s back for five minutes, the quality of the Electric Proms could have been sustained and it wouldn’t have been such a likely candidate for the axe. A loss to our culture, a loss to the Roundhouse and a loss to Camden.

• How many of you know every word to Grandmaster Flash’s Rapper’s Delight? If you’re lucky, he might just play it at Scala (Feb 10).

• Sia’s girlfriend and former Record of the Week candidate JD Samson (ex Le Tigre) brings band MEN to the Lexington on Tuesday (Feb 8).

• Diva Natalie May’s a graduate of Hawley Wharf’s Young Person’s Theatre Company and single Closer has won a prized spot on a number of radio playlists. See her at Dingwalls (Feb 6).

• Lovely of Ian Brown to back a £10,000 musical scholarship for prospective students at Camden’s School of Sound Recording, whose rehearsal rooms have been used by The Stone Roses. If I had an ounce of talent...

• Proud Camden’s Metallica 30th anniversary photo exhibition Fade To Black: Metallica By Bill Hale begins today (Feb3). Go soak up the culture.

• Joan as a Policewoman – first dance choice at a friend’s ultra cool wedding – plays the Barbican (Feb 6).