Brand new festival, Caught By The River Thames, will set up on the banks of London’s mighty stream at Fulham Palace this summer (August 6-7). Really there was no other home for the the two event because it’s organised by the minds behind much celebrate blog, publishers and events organisers Caught By The River. “Caught By The River have run stages at festivals for the best part of a decade now,” explains chief musical angler Robin Turner, “We’ve booked stages at Port Eliot, the Good Life Experience and Field Day, putting on a vast array of bands, DJs, thinkers, drinkers, writers and readers. Caught By The River Thames is the first time that we’ve gone it alone. Putting the bill together felt, at times, like filling out a fantasy festival questionnaire in a magazine: avoiding anyone dead or retired, who would you book if you had a big field, a PA, a load of well stocked bars and (fingers crossed) some beautiful summer sunshine. We’re pretty pleased with the people who answered our calls to help create a bill that reflects the brilliant, beautiful diversity of the capital.” To give you a taste of the event – which incidentally will also feature Q’s own features editor Ted Kessler on the second day who is staging a live version of My Old Man, which is soon to be published as book – are some of Barrett’s favourite catches for the summer.
Super Furry Animals – Receptacle For The Respectable
“We’d argue that the Furries are the greatest festival band of the last 20 years – it’s the reason we wanted them to headline the first Caught By The River Thames event. Able to effortlessly trip between skronking rock, acid house, power pop and pastoral psych in the space of single song, the Furries nine-year hiatus has seemingly brought them back more turbo-charged than ever. Unmissable.”
Low – Monkey
“For over 20 years, Minnesota trio Low have offered musical masterclasses in beautiful, slow-burn restraint. 2015’s Ones And Sixes saw some of the best reviews of their career. Live, they’re a truly awesome experience, managing to create pin-drop intimacy on whatever sized stage they’re playing.”
Beth Orton – Moon (pictured)
“We’re lucky enough to have heard Beth Orton’s new album. It’s a stunner. Co-produced with Andrew Hung from Fuck Buttons, it’s a musical departure. Out go acoustic guitars, in come songs built from twisted, electronic loops. What remains though is Beth’s unmistakable voice, now filled with the kind of gleeful joie-de-vivre that comes with a genius creative reinvention.”
Sun Ra Arkestra – Space Is The Place
“Any good festival needs to offer at least one serious chance to astrally-project. At Caught By The River Thames you’ve not only got SFA; you’ve also got the guys who practically wrote the book on out of body experience – the Sun Ra Arkestra. 2016 sees the Arkestra celebrate their 60th year together. All you need is an open-mind.”
Temples – Colours To Life
“Currently working on the follow up their debut Sun Structures – Rough Trade Shop’s 2014 album of the year – Temples’ appearance at Fulham Palace will be an exclusive London festival set. If the songs from the second LP are anything like those on the first, expect Temples to bring the sunshine with a full on stomping kaleidoscopic rock’n’roll show.”
Llanreggub Brass Band – Drygioni
“If the Arkestra had come from West Wales and had been fed a diet of colliery band music instead of astro-jazz, they might sound something like the Llanreggub Brass Band. Named after the village in Under Milk Wood, these guys are known for – among other things – brass heavy covers of SFA songs, this clip is a version of the classic Mwng opener.”
Be One – Into
“Be One was the first LP released on Caught By The River’s Rivertones label. Originally created as the soundtrack to Wolfgang Buttress’ award winning human sized beehive installation, the live version is a fully immersive experience – like Chris Watson producing Spiritualized, this is proper drone music.”
Mulatu Astatke – Assiyo Bélléma
“Known as the founder of Ethio-Jazz Mulatu Astake is the don. Making records since 1966 (after an education in Wales!), Mulatu came to our attention through the Ethiopiques series. His profile was upped further in 2005 by having his music soundtrack the Jim Jarmusch film Broken Flowers. Our live highlight of 2015 was undoubtedly his sell out show at the Royal Festival Hall in London.”
Laura Cannell – Cathedral Of The Marshes
“With an line-up as broad as ours there was always going to be room for some modern medieval music. Laura Cannell does it best – hypnotic and glitchy; it’s as much Café Oto as it is Canterbury Cathedral.”
Imarhan – Assomagh
“Recently seen playing to packed houses all over Europe in support of the mighty Kurt Vile, Imarhan play soulful Tuareg rock ‘n’ roll. These are the real desert sessions.”
For more, including the full line-up and latest ticket news, head to Caughtbytheriverthames.com.
