A Festival of Arts and Music at The Baltic Green

Do we really value music, art and poetry? If your reading this then there is a good chance you do. Art calls you over, it calls to society and waves a flag in its face. It paints a picture of the future and what is achievable. In a way, it is artist’s job to inform and entertain and offer insight in both the inner and outer spaces.

A Festival of Arts and Music showcased some of Liverpool’s greatest artists and it all started with FLLOYD KENNEDY. All eyes and ears were drawn to the stage. Mouths agape and arms and hands waving into the sky. Kennedy is fun and insightful; her music draws you in and invites into the magical worlds she creates.

Next up, the multi-talented singer-songwriter LIZ OWEN. An artist who bridges blues, Americana, country and soul together wonderfully. Owen’s vocals beam into your very being. Her guitar playing is sublime, indeed this artist of incredible virtuosity. Her closing song ‘Goodbye Girl’ demonstrates Owen’s technical skill and song writing genius. One could see every foot tapping’ away throughout her set.

Next up was HELEN JEFFEREY, an artist who advised the audience to ‘open a window’ and ‘step on to the Earth’. Jefferey’s words weave us together spiritually. She reminds us that we are all emotional beings. We should give ourselves love and support one and another in hard times.

NICOLA HARDMAN carried this message of connectivity and compassion. This is very clear with her theatrical song ‘Unplug Your TV’, a tune laced with emotion and energy. Her set opens with a strong piece of poetry. A well- constructed text that deals with ‘subject matter’ all too familiar with many in the audience. We get to hear a new song from an upcoming theatrical production, ‘The Well’ sounded like something of a movie. Hardman’s music speaks harnesses her ability to create worlds and complex characters.

PETE & EUGINE. A duo who bring poetry and music together and blend it perfectly This duo draws you with their hypnotic rhythms, worldly drones and witty words. Kudos should be given to anyone who mixes existentialism and kitchen sink reality effectively. P&E do just that.

Something similar could be said for GERRY CLARKSON. A poet/artist who really gets to the core of what humanity is and ‘being’ is all about. Clarkson is very much in the ‘now’, his finger very much on the pulse of the present. Clarkson’s words comfort as much as they confirm. You feel truly synchronised to every word and every line. You just can’t beat the nuance of ‘Fuck Off’, a very intelligent attempt to explain how we use those two words in the day today. Clarkson is funny, witty and wise. He is on your side, he understands the pressures of reality and our addiction to the virtual worlds we inhabit. He doesn’t condemn you, he reminds you that you are human.

SATIN BEIGE IS a magician. She somehow manages to convince your brain that there is a five-piece jazz band behind the stage. One could not believe all the sounds emanating from one cello and one voice. SATIN BEIGE brings fresh jazz, soul and pop to A Festival of Arts & Music. Her voice builds worlds and her cello playing structures them around your head. Certainly, a name you are likely to see everywhere in the not so distant future.

A world away from Beige is FANIEL DORD. A mad professor like character who incorporates the best elements of Suicide, Mr Bungle and Monty Python and throws such elements into a crazy cartoon blender. The outcome is surrealist sausage shaped songs about monkey brains and unkept laboratories. A newly Norris Green native, one certainly hopes to see more of Mr Dord in the year.

GAV CROSS. A man who really does distort and warp reality with his constant breaking in and out of character. In short, Mr CROSS could best be described as a surrealist Brian Blessed. He is a man who will make you howl with laughter and get you singing along to choruses fixated around beans.

The comedy ensues with PADDY CLARKE. Clarke is this generations Half Man Half Biscuit. He is witty, funny and deadly serious. His songs cover everything from punk ethos to latex nun masks. A true artist and one who is both terrific at song writing and poetry.

EVE – THE QUEEN OF HEARTBREAK steps onto stage in a super glamorous outfit, Queen of Heartbreak delivers the driest and funniest forms of poetry this side of the water. Qoph is hilarious, and I truly mean hilarious. ‘Carry on Coriander’ is perhaps both the saddest and funniest pieces of text one is likely to hear. QoH’s imaginative worlds seem somewhat familiar and somewhat surreal. But her genius lies in her ability to bridge both aspects together and taking you somewhere deep. Once you have heard QoH twisted tales you will want more.

I can’t fathom just how talented NANA FUNK is as a story teller and as a musician. She covers everything, from talk of trade unionism to 00s dance music. Her abilities on the ukulele are something to behold. Funk is a character you need to see in the flesh. A true artist that embraces all areas of the character and holds no bars.

After Funk, we got TREV FLEMING. A poet whose work was heartfelt and awe inspiring. A great artist whose performance was accompanied by Funk halfway through the set. Two wonderfully talented artists whom are clearly well rehearsed in the ins and outs of human ‘being’. I think it is fair to say that Liverpool has produced some of the greatest artists and musicians out there. Artists who challenge, provoke, musicians who inspire and comfort.

I think these traits should be applied to both TEPID DAYS and BEIJA FLO. TEPID DAYS began their set early in the day brought some cool shoegaze and psychedelic sounds to the table. All nicely and neatly wrapped in the surreal, TEPID DAYS complemented the festival perfectly.

As did headline act, BEIJA FLO. It has to be said that Flo is a true artist. She clearly cares deeply about her work and her message. She like many great artists is someone who bridges all aspects of art. Like many interdisciplinary artists, Beija Flo isn’t scared to go to places undiscovered in art. Her message carries through and she closes the festival down perfectly.

A Festival of Arts and Music was an event organised by UNUSUAL ART SOURCING COMPANY. A Liverpool based performing art project whose purpose it is try to spread and encourage the expenditure of art and creativity. We are indeed very grateful to them and to all the artists who make such creative and wonderful art.

Word: LMcW, Photos: LMcW, RBY

Links:

Floyd Kennedy: https://www.facebook.com/flloyd.kennedy

Liz Owen: https://www.facebook.com/LizOwenMusic/

Helen Jeffrey: https://www.facebook.com/helen.jeffery.35

Nicola Hardman: https://www.facebook.com/nicolahardmanmusic/

Pete and Eugene: Can anyone help find a link?

Gerry Clarkson: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010175237710

Satin Beige: https://www.facebook.com/MissSatinBeige/

Faniel Dord: https://www.facebook.com/thefanieldord

Gav Cross: https://www.facebook.com/gavcross

Paddy Clarke: https://www.facebook.com/paddyclarkemusic/