Maligned for many years as a grey, concrete cultural wasteland (despite its strong ties to punk and dubstep among many other musical and artistic claims to fame), Joyzine’s home borough has been undergoing something of a renaissance in recent years. The infamous scenes of the 2012 riots have given rise to a number of new events, collaborations and projects, including arts venues Matthews Yard and Rise Gallery, the town’s online station Croydon Radio (home to The Joyzine Radio Show) and now, Ambition Festival, a four-day take over of Croydon’s venues, bars and public spaces featuring live music, comedy, theatre and arts.
Established artists such as headliners Soul II Soul, Tinariwen and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry rub shoulders with local up and coming talent on an eclectic line-up which includes a number of free events. Here are some of our top picks:
The Croydon Radio Showcase ft. Superman Revenge Squad, Rhiannon The Nightmare, Magic Brother and Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs: Saturday 25th July, Midday – 4pm, Click Clock Gallery (free entry)
We may have to acknowledge a hint of bias here as this show has been put together by Joyzine editor and radio presenter Paul Maps, but with four Joyzine faves including local troubadour Superman Revenge Squad, country punk heroes Rhiannon The Nightmare, Croydonian psych rockers Magic Brother and the ever magical Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs all performing, this one’s pretty tough to beat. And if that’s not enough to entice you, it’s a free, all-ages show held at the wonderful Click Clock Gallery on Katherine Street, with the bands playing amongst artwork by local and international creatives.
More details here
Beans On Toast: Thursday 23rd July, 6.30pm, Matthews Yard (£7.50)
Sweary politicised folk from cult legend Beans On Toast at one of our favourite Croydon spaces.
Details here
Brothers of Mothershovel: Friday 24th July, 7.00pm, Oval Tavern (free entry)
Croydon’s finest bowler hat toting, harmonica blowing roots band bring their foot-stomping country-blues sound to The Oval. Support from The Henry Brothers.
Junkyard Choir + C.Lou.D Dogs: Friday 24th July, 8.00pm, Scream Lounge (free entry)
If you like your live music loud and raw, head over to Scream Lounge to catch these two former Joyzine Radio Show guests. C.Loud.D Dogs bring a straight-up grunge assault, while Junkyard Choir add a hint of rockabilly swagger. Support comes from Dogtown Dojo.
For further details, visit ambitionfest.com
This week’s edition of The Joyzine Radio Show was an Ambition Festival special – check out the podcast here
Playlist:
Oh!Gunquit – Sinkhole
Girlpool – Ideal World
Heyrocco – Elsewhere
Simon Love ft. Stewart Lee – The Meaning of Love
Vienna Ditto – Long Way Down
Yo – Shake It
Magic Brother – The West Country
The Brothers of Mothershovel – Shell Life
C.Lou.D Dogs – We’re Not Dead (Joyzine Radio Session)
Rhiannon The Nightmare – Harlot
Junkyard Choir – Sun Moon Stars
Beans on Toast – NOLA Honeymoon
Superman Revenge Squad – A Funny Thing you Said
Heyrocco – Loser Denial
Francobollo – Good Times
Love Buzzard – Cash
Unstoppable Achievers – The Wave That Beats The Rock
deux furieuses – The Party of Shaitaan
Heyrocco – Melt
IS TROPICAL – Say
Eighteen Nightmares at the Lux – Asphyxia
The Walking Who – My Future Wife
Labasheeda – Into The Wide
Dog, paper, submarine – Weeping Firefighter
Mammoth Penguins – Propped Up
Brigitte Aphrodite – Crescendorious
Lark – Closing Time
Marksmen – Subway