THE VACCINES PAY TRIBUTE TO THE FLOWERPOT + KENTISH TOWN'S CAMDEN CRAWL COUP + RIGHT SAID FRED - FOR REAL

THE Vaccines’ drummer Pete Robertson had plenty to say when I spoke to him last week – not least high praise for the guys behind The Flowerpot, now The Wheelbarrow on Camden High Street.


He told me: “The best thing about The Flowerpot was the promoters. They’re obviously incredibly passionate – they’re part of the industry’s good guys. The venue’s possibly secondary to the people that organised it and I’m sure they’ll do really well.”
See Pete’s SXSW first tattoo revelations, his secret admiration for a Taylor Swift love song and his belief that Nirvana changed his life – in my full interview above.



• Camden Crawl Update – there won’t be that much crawling while the sublime Miles Kane, Villagers and Frankie & the Heartstrings all perform at HMV Forum. Kentish Town may just dominate our route this year. The King Blues will headline the Red Bull Outdoor stage so pray for good weather.

• Each member of The Dum Dums has the words Dum Dum tattooed on a finger. See for yourself when they play Dingwalls on Tuesday (April 5).

• Plan B, Katy B, Eliza Doolittle and Devlin play a free gig at Proud Camden tonight (March 31) for Sony's Music Unlimited new music streaming service – will it be better than Spotify?

• Former Record of the Week pick The Chakras play the Bull & Gate (April 7) – looks like Kentish Town’s fighting Camden for the live music crown.

• If you’re too young to remember Right Said Fred, head to 02 Academy Islington (April 27) – your life will not be complete without hearing “I’m Too Sexy” at least once.

• Soul singer Lemar’s so far departed from the reality show that made him that it’s hard to remember he was ever a product of Fame Academy. He sings at Shaka Zulu tonight (Thursday) supported by Daniel Debourg.

MS DYNAMITE'S EMAIL REVIVAL

NOTE: Slight delay on putting this one up, event has passed but here's my interview with Ms Dynamite. Tim Robbins interview will be up later this week. 

THERE'S a movement taking over the Roundhouse – and it's gathering pace as we speak.
From tomorrow, young people will seize control of Camden Roundhouse, mastering every aspect of the Turning Point festival of comedy, music, circus, cabaret and theatre.
More than 300 artists have been signed up to take over five stages over the next three days, featuring the likes of Professor Green, Toddla T, Ms Dynamite, Roll Deep and Devlin.

So who better to tell us a bit more than Camden institution Ms Dynamite aka Niomi McLean-Daley.
She's been building up her career again but due to some unhappy interaction with the Press, her management have insisted all interviews be conducted by email – beware an abundance of exclamation marks.
So here's how it went:
RG: What’s so special about Turning Point?
MD: It's put on by young peoplel!!! I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF THAT! We commonly talk about young people with such negative and biased views! I'm of the belief that if we 'as adults/society/the authority' etc.
give young people respect, love, faith, time and tools to grow with the things that inspire them, and a chance to fulfil their passion, they will succeed EVERY SINGLE TIME! I know this gig will prove that!!!
I love that it's in Camden and at the Roundhouse, who are absolutely amazing with young people!!!
They offer SO MUCH in terms of music, media and the arts to young people and I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND ADVISE EVERYONE TO CHECK OUT WHAT GOES ON AT THE ROUNDHOUSE!!! (under and behind the shows).
RG: What can we look forward to from your appearance?
MD: ENERGY, POSITIVITY and MORE ENERGY!!! Xx
RG: Who are you most excited to see on the line-up and why?
MD: I'm excited to see everyone (not a cop out) but I genuinely like all the artists and am happy to be working along side them in 'this' particular show! I think it'll be amazing!
RG: What do you think of the Roundhouse as a venue?
MD It's amazing, I've seen my brother (Akala) and a few other artist, groups perform/act there... This'll b my first time though, I can't wait!
RG: What are your favourite Camden haunts/ favourite things about Camden?
MD: I LOVE the multi-culturalism of Camden!!! I love the fusion of styles, foods, music, dress codes, ages, energies and beliefs!!!
RG: Any Camden gripes?
MD: Camden have the most HASTY, UNFORGIVING, NO LEE-WAY what so ever TRAFFIC WARDENS, I've ever experienced! Parking is a complete nightmare!!!
RG: What’s it like to have a musical sibling?
MD: All my siblings are musical... I have a younger brother who goes by the name of 'Snooze' he raps, writes, produces, directs, designs websites, films videos etc, a sister named Jessica who has an amazing voice and is an amazing writer and the others are a bit younger (still in school) but all are equally talented in a musical/creative way!
It's the nature of our family, we've never known it any different, my mum and dad ALWAYS have and had music blasting in the house!
We used to make up songs and perform for our parents and aunties and uncles as birthday presents at bbq's and parties... When myself and Kings (Akala) look back, we're just like "how did we ever not see this
happening?"... :o)
RG: Akala told me he’s become vegan and enjoys eating at Inspiral cafe in Camden Lock. Are you a vegan? If not, could you ever be?
MD: I'm not a vegan but am a veggie and can I just say I LOVE INSPIRAL!!! I'd like to become a vegan, but food is still my weakness, my comfort, my addiction & my passion.
I can't help but think about ALL the CRAP I'd miss if I became a vegan... But it is exactly that... Crap! And I will get there one day, soon as I get the discipline my brother's blessed with! Lol!
RG: What’s the strangest gig you’ve ever done?
MD: I've done great gigs, fantastic gigs, amazing gigs, funny gigs, sad gigs and not so good gigs but never really a 'strange' gig?
RG: The Mercury Music Prize has just passed by, who did you want to win and why?
MD: Corinne Bailey-Rae... I love her! She's one of the sweetest, most graceful, ambitious, talented young women I've had the pleasure of meeting!
RG: How has your music progressed since then and what direction do you want to continue in?
MD: Umm, the turns and twists my career has taken since then would fill this whole issue and more!!! Lol!!! There have been many highs and lows but I'm in an amazing position now, totally recognising and appreciating that the lows made the highs sweeter and that its all been equally neccessary to get here where I am today! :o)
RG: What did you think of (winners) The XX?
MD: Yeah, they're cool... I like what they did with Aaliyahs 'Hot like fire' and also the 'Florence and the Machine' cover (of the cover) they did was great too!
RG: Do you think the prize helped your career?
MD: Definitely!!!
RG: Do you think there’s any truth in the belief that the prize can sometimes do more harm than good?
MD: Depends how you look at it?
RG: If you were in an American high school, what clique would you have been in as a teenager?
MD: No clique... I've always been a leader that floated like the wind through different 'groups', I had my days with my 'middle class' friends, my days with my 'hood' friends, days with my 'grungy' friends and days with my super-slick friends, black, white, Asian, Male, Female etc etc, we just did our thing.
I'm me, me has never belonged to 'one group' of people and can't be defined by one style... I've always done me!
RG: What’s the worst trouble you got into at school?
MD: Oh the list is too long!!! Lol! X
RG: Lady Gaga, love or hate?
MD: I'm full of love for 'everyone', hate no-one... a more accurate answer would be "I respect her hustle!"
RG: Tell me something no-one knows about you.
MD: There is genuinely NOTHING no-one knows about me! I LOVE to talk and am not ashamed to chat my business!... I'd tell any-one anything... Other than obvious stuff! If I'm happy, sad, hyper, tired etc. The world knows about it! I've always been like that!
RG: What do you like to do when you’re not making music?
MD: Be with my son!!!
RG: Who would you most like to collaborate with?
MD: Damien Marley!
RG: What’s it like being a famous mum?
MD: I LOVE IT!!! :o)
RG: You’ve had a bit of a reputation for being political in the past., are you happy with the election results?
MD "Yeah, I'm over the moon!".. Lol! I'll leave it to your common sense, xx
RG: If not, who would you like to see as Prime Minister?
MD: I think a group that represents our society (of young, old, rich, poor, English, African/Caribbean, Asian, Eastern-Europen, Spanish, Japanese, gay, straight, religious, athiest, with disabilities, from conventional AND single parent families etc etc etc) that would govern our 'world' with compassion and 'open ears'... Would be a BEAUTIFUL sight!
RG: What are you working on at the moment – what direction are you taking musically and what kind of subject matter are you thinking about?
MD: I'm having fun with music, trying all different styles and directions and am talking about a wide range of subjects!
RG: Who are you listening to at the moment that you’d recommend our readers to watch out for and why?
MD: I worked with Katy B nearly 2yrs ago and am really happy to hear her able to bless the world with her talent/gift! Also Emeli Sande, I can not wait for her album!!!

KOKO'S SECRET STASH OF STRIPEY CARDIES, ROBERT PLANT'S GOLD TOUCH + THE RETURN OF MS DYNAMITE

NEXT time you’re racking your brains over where you left your favourite neon stripey cardigan after a night out, check the nearest British Heart Foundation charity shop. Turns out Koko donates all lost property there every two weeks so it’s sure to be a haven of cool-kid garb – just one fact I discovered in the smallprint of a press release about Koko being named London’s most environmentally friendly venue. Even the new roof terrace has been laid with rubber tiles from 6,600 reclaimed truck and car tyres. At least you won’t worry about getting struck by lightning.

• For some, Led Zeppelin can’t be touched and their memory must be preserved intact at all costs and left in peace. For others, anything associated with Led Zep is gilded in gold. If you’re of the latter view then Robert Plant and the latest incarnation of Band of Joy play a rare show at Kentish Town’s HMV Forum on September 2. It precedes the release of Plant’s 10th solo album Band Of Joy, recorded in Tennessee and co-produced by Nashville legend Buddy Miller. Here's a taste of what to expect:

• At The Good Ship, next Saturday (July 31), are Horseman Shakes and the Draymen. I just picked them out for their bemusing name.

• Camden revivalist Ms Dynamite joins Professor Green for the three-day Roundhouse Turning Point Festival, alongside Toddla T, Devlin and many more (September 17-19).

WIRELESS SET TO ELECTRIFY?

THERE were some great scenes of rebellion at last year's Wireless Festival as we joined the scramble to break into the tent to catch The Streets during one of the most memorable and sweltering performances of the weekend.
And there's sure to be as many equally unforgettable moments this year with a line-up of huge draws including Jay-Z, Pink, LCD Soundsystem, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott and 2ManyDjs.

Wireless, sponsored by Barclaycard (July 2 - 4), is one of the easiest festivals around, a medley of urban, indie, electro and hip-hop acts all in Hyde Park but with the power to pull huge names more usually associated with vast soulless stadiums.

Ideal for non-campers – and lazier music-lovers – there's not even a worry about transport or accommodation, as it all usually ends before the last tube leaves and well before the last clubs shut their doors.

While last year Kanye West left us cold with his immense detachment, Basement Jaxx's star shone bright with a euphoric carnival performance.
We're not expecting a repeat of West's vacant show this year, as Jay-Z headlines the Sunday night, a US rap giant who knows how to play the crowd.

Another crowd pleaser with a mammoth voice is Pink, or is that P!ink?
Her gravity-defying feats at the Grammy awards were the talk of the show, but can she top it? She headlines on the Friday night – expect a spectacle.
LCD Soundsystem and 2ManyDjs co-headline on Saturday but I'll be more interested in Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Darwin Deez and DJ Shadow.

There's so much to see over the three days, so here are my picks – Snoop Dogg (he made it into the country, the least we can do is go see him), Jay-Z (always room for an epic megastar), The Temper Trap (soaring tunes), Hockey (good indie attitude), Alphabeat (they'll smile even if it rains), DJ Shadow (to revive some hazy student memories), UNKLE (ever innovative), Missy Elliott (fierce), The Big Pink (too cool), Darwin Deez (edgy, quirky pop from the frizzy-haired, eyelinered one), The Hundred in the Hands (moody duo), Friendly Fires (lively electro), Dan le Sac vs Scroobius Pip (unfailingly fantastic, a must, must, MUST) and Devlin (Dagenham MC with a good brand of dark hip-hop).
There's sure to be a book running on what Beth Ditto plans to wear when Gossip take to the stage so start guessing now.

Others attracting attention are celeb offspring Lily Allen and I Blame Coco, the slightly irritating The Ting Tings, rapper-turned-lounge-singer Plan B, new young darling Daisy Dares You, New Young Pony Club, Example, Chase & Status, Chipmunk, Tinie Tempah, Mr Hudson, D12 and Roll Deep.
As well as a whole list of other acts, there's a full programme of non-musical entertainment – fashion shows, talent scouts, a pampering parlour and all sorts of games.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - DEVLIN ft GIGGS, Shot Music

LOVING this one. Dark hip-hop, killer rock guitar backing solos – Dagenham MC Devlin’s single Shot Music (out July 12) is hot. The video’s slick and getting Giggs to guest on it is genius. As if it couldn’t sound any shadier, his lazy, deep vocals are threatening in all the right ways.