International Festival of Electronic Arts (5-14 March 2010) avfestival.co.uk

The North East based biennial AV Festival is one of the UK’s largest international festivals of electronic arts. It returns to Sunderland, NewcastleGateshead and Middlesbrough this year (5-14 March), presenting a diverse programme of work including 24 exhibitions, 20 performances, 10 screenings, 14 talks, 4 club nights and 3 symposia, by over 100 visual artists, musicians and filmmakers, and will include 15 World Premieres of new AV Festival commissions.

The theme of this year’s Festival is ‘energy’ and all the works in the Festival respond to this idea in some way ranging from sound, light and mechanical energy, to the spiritual and human. Carol Bell, Head of Programme Development at Culture10, said “AV Festival 10 is set to be the best yet with a real diverse programme of events, many of which offer a variety of opportunities for engagement. The theme of energy shines through and is sure to leave those involved feeling they have experienced something both unique and special.”

Following a self-imposed three year hiatus Sunderland's Field Music are set to return with a new 20 track album of artful English pop entitled ‘Measure’, to be released by Memphis Industries on 15th February 2010. Powered, as ever, by brothers and co-front men Peter and David Brewis, Field Music's line up now includes Kev Dosdale (guitar and keys) and Ian Black (bass).

The Band are set to celebrate this momentous occasion with some free in-store shows in a few of our favourite record-hunting spots around the country, kicking off in London on the album release date:

15 Feb Rough Trade East In-store London, UK onstage 19:00
18 Feb Rise In-store, Bristol, UK Onstage 18:00
19 Feb Resident Records In-store Brighton, UK Onstage 18:00
20 Feb RPM Records In-store, Newcastle, UK Onstage 17:00

Sunderland's hardcore troubadours Leatherface have announced the release of a new long awaited album ‘The Stormy Petrel’ on February 22nd 2010 on their own label Big Ugly Fish Recordings. The album takes its title from nickname of Joseph Hodgson who was hailed as a hero dozens of times after risking his life to save others from the stormy seas that battered 19th century Sunderland.

There will also be a split 7" inch vinyl on their own label to coincide with their Canadian/US tour in February/March 2010 with Yesterdays Ring. Check out their web site yesterdaysring.org and also their my space site myspace.com/yesterdaysringmtl

The band have taken a track called ‘Deep, Deep Sleep’ from the recent album session which was done on a first take basis and mixed the same day. For the traditionalists left amongst the human race there will be a limited edition of 500 available in red vinyl.

biguglyfish.co.uk
Sunderland Echo