John Lennon Festival Shines On UK Awards Night
"I always felt free in Scotland," said John Lennon.
That freedom was shared by artist and audience alike earlier this year at a Festival in Durness named in tribute to the much-loved musician, writer and peace activist. In spirit and body, family, friends and fans of John Lennon came together in the Scottish Highlands for three days of music, poetry, drama and more - under the Northern Lights.
Last night, at a ceremony in London, England, the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival was named "Best New Festival" at the UK Festival Awards - joining long-standing celebrants, such as the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals, on the winner's podium. Hearty congratulations are due Festival Coordinator Mike Merritt and his team, and to all the people. Imagine ( :
Singer-songwriter Allison Crowe's honoured and delighted to be Canada's musical ambassador to the event, sharing the stage and experience with an eclectic line-up, including: the original Quarrymen (John's skiffle group which evolved into The Beatles); contemporary UK chart-toppers Nizlopi; premiere Scottish jazzer Todd Gordon and his combo; Britain's most popular living poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy (second only to William Shakespeare among university-age readers); punk poet John Cooper Clarke; members of the Royal Academy of Music; all together with the Queen's Master of Music, composer/conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (in a joyful musical triumph, his first public performance in 15 years).
During the Festival in Durness in late September, John's family gathered for the dedication of a simple plaque - now on the family croft above the waters and sands of Sango Bay. It says: "John Lennon 1940-1980, Musician & Songwriter, lived here".
Och aye. He's living there still.
In My Life
That freedom was shared by artist and audience alike earlier this year at a Festival in Durness named in tribute to the much-loved musician, writer and peace activist. In spirit and body, family, friends and fans of John Lennon came together in the Scottish Highlands for three days of music, poetry, drama and more - under the Northern Lights.
Last night, at a ceremony in London, England, the John Lennon Northern Lights Festival was named "Best New Festival" at the UK Festival Awards - joining long-standing celebrants, such as the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals, on the winner's podium. Hearty congratulations are due Festival Coordinator Mike Merritt and his team, and to all the people. Imagine ( :
Singer-songwriter Allison Crowe's honoured and delighted to be Canada's musical ambassador to the event, sharing the stage and experience with an eclectic line-up, including: the original Quarrymen (John's skiffle group which evolved into The Beatles); contemporary UK chart-toppers Nizlopi; premiere Scottish jazzer Todd Gordon and his combo; Britain's most popular living poet and playwright Carol Ann Duffy (second only to William Shakespeare among university-age readers); punk poet John Cooper Clarke; members of the Royal Academy of Music; all together with the Queen's Master of Music, composer/conductor Sir Peter Maxwell Davies (in a joyful musical triumph, his first public performance in 15 years).
During the Festival in Durness in late September, John's family gathered for the dedication of a simple plaque - now on the family croft above the waters and sands of Sango Bay. It says: "John Lennon 1940-1980, Musician & Songwriter, lived here".
Och aye. He's living there still.
In My Life
Labels: Allison Crowe, Beatles, Durness, John Lennon, John Lennon Northern Lights Festival, Mike Merritt, Quarrymen, Scotland, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies
posted by Adrian at
1:27 PM
4 Comments:
Hello Adrian,
I *love* AC'S music.
It's so great all is for free :). On the next occasion I'll buy a CD, hopefully I'll be able to decide which one as the're all great :D. All this passion and energy and honesty and meaningful lyrics as well, great :).
In fact i'll write a blog entry on her soon, but can you tell my how to find out the trackback urls of your blogspot blog posts :)?I hope you know what I'm talking 'bout :D ...
BTW, I just recommended Allison to the local quality music radio channel MDR Figaro as CD of the week, hope they sooner or later choose her :).
And do you already know where in Germany the concerts are going to take place? Would be great if there would at least be one here in eastern Germany :D :).
Cheers and best wishes to you, Allison and the rest of the crew :)
Max.
Hello Max ~
It's a pleasure to hear from you!
I have been on tour with Allison, and, finally, as the travel winds down, I have some time online to catch-up.
I'm happy you've discovered Allison and so enjoy her music. We will be booking European concert dates this Winter, and shall look for venues in eastern Germany!
Thanks very much for telling MDR Figaro about Allison. Should there be anything I can do to help, please send word.
I am not sure where to find the trackback URLs of blogspot posts - but, hopefully by communicating we can figure out what's what.
Thanks for your wishes. All the best to you and yours!
cheers, Adrian
Thanks so much for the comment on my modest little blog! I really do hope to catch Allison live some point in the next year, she falls somewhere in my top 5 artists of all time, behind Billy Joel, alongside Sufajn Stevens and some others. On top of This Fine Social Scene I also write for a university magazine (possibly the UK's only official one) and though this is me going out on a limb here, if she's 'in the neighbourhood', as you say, it'd be fantastic to interview her for it. Still, I won't hassle you with those worries just yet...
Sounds very cool! We must be in touch as the UK tours come together. (Not sure where you're physically located.) Allison, I'm sure, will be delighted to chat with you ( :
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