New Wave Outpost Forum

This is something I'd almost make the trip across the pond for - British Sea Power on Sunday November 27th at Cornwall's Carnglaze Caverns, the very same caverns where Echo & the Bunnymen's Ocean Rain cover was shot. Two bands seperated by 20 years but sharing a love for majestic guitar riffs and dark, nature-loving lyrics. This has the potential to be an amazingly mystical concert!

Date isn't on the Carnglaze site yet but they'll be there...

http://www.carnglaze.com/rock_concerts_1.htm

I am draped in greenery with envy.

BSP will be here with the Killers next week but it's in Key Arena mid-week . . . so it ain't happenin' for me.

The caverns sound cool though. Maybe they're the same spot where Dumbledore and Harry Potter went to look for the Horcrux.

God, if there was any show I could catch all year...


From the Cornish Guardian, 13 October

British Sea Power, named as the best band in Britain by the Sunday Times following the release of their debut album in 2003, will be making a special appearance at Carnglaze Caverns to raise valuable funds for the RNLI on November 27.

The band, who are renowned for eccentric live performances which often feature sights such as wrestling men in bear suits, plastic peregrine falcons and a stage bedecked with foliage, have agreed to play a show to raise money for the RNLI'S Padstow Lifeboat appeal at the stunning slate Caverns in St Neot, near Liskeard.

The Caverns are donating the venue for free and organisers SW1 Productions are hoping the show will raise in the region of £1,000 for the appeal.

"We are delighted that British Sea Power are venturing to Cornwall to play a show, and that they are so keen to support the RNLI which does such a valuable job," said Susie Moore of SW1.

"The cavern is such a beautiful venue and with a band as individual as British Sea Power, the night is sure to be amazing."

With a stage show likened to 'David Lynch hosting a sleepover in Kew Gardens' and a history in playing unusual venues (the band once lured press to an Alpine-style hunting lodge near Tunbridge Wells), you can see why the Caverns would appeal to their sense of drama and wit which runs not only through their live shows but is also apparent in their songs.

Citing inspiration from sources as diverse as Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly across the Atlantic, and Iggy Pop (both for making something amazing out of not very much) the band are quite all right with being a little left of centre.

British Sea Power make literate and impassioned music, a sound described as a cross between The Psychedelic Furs and Joy Division, and in doing so, have inspired a loyal following, who despite the band having a fairly low profile in mainstream radio, ensured that the band's second album Open Season secured a number 13 chart slot when it was released in April.

The RNLI's Padstow appeal aims to raise £5.5 million to fund the building of a new lifeboat station which will house the next generation of lifeboat, the Tamar class all weather lifeboat.

Padstow is a key station along North Cornwall's rugged coast and covers a long stretch of sea.

The nearest all weather lifeboats are at St Ives which is 28 nautical miles to the west, and Appledore which is 48 nautical miles to the east.

The RNLI is a charity which depends on on voluntary contributions and legacies for income, but also aims to save lives at sea by providing the volunteer lifeboat crews with the best facilities and training.

Local brewery Sharps, based in Rock, is also supportive of the campaign and will be at the show to raise funds by selling its specially brewed Atlantic IPA to gig-goers.

Tickets are £12 (subject to a booking fee) and are available from Carnglaze Caverns 01579 320251, www.seetickets.com (0871 2200260), Solo in Truro, Jam in Falmouth and Quarterdeck in Newquay and Different Class in Plymouth.

In the unlikely event that there are other BSP nuts out there, I'll relay the news that this event last night appears to have been absolutely amazing. Some web acquaintances have forwarded a picture and accounts that make me think this was one of those epic events that I'll always regret having missed. BSP acted as their own warm-up band by performing an entire b-sides set first [:p], then had the actual <a href="http://www.mortonvalence.co.uk/">Morten Valence</a> warmup act, then did their whole main set...wow, what I wouldn't do to see all of my favorite bands do something like that!

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/fionap/CIMG1783.jpg">

Some of the accounts:

"The whole thing was surreal, from walking through snow filled woods to the entrance of the caverns to bats flying around the cave."

"Magical. Throughout I had to keep reminding myself that it's not a backdrop, its REAL!"

"What, no Killing Moon?!"

"The manager person came on at one point and said they were trying to persuade the Bunnymen to return to the caves for a gig. Must be about 25 years on by now?"