The Week in Light & Sound
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Many of the artists performing at the concert had previously performed with O'Connor and MacGowan when they were alive. They include Glen Hansard, who performed a rendition of Fairytale of New York at MacGowan's funeral in December, and David Gray, Amanda Palmer and Gordon Gano. More acts are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Concrete Crisis - The Broadway Theatre in Barking has become the latest venue to close due to the discovery of potentially dangerous concrete in its infrastructure. The venue’s management said it would be shut until further notice, after Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete was found “throughout the theatre” on 11 January. It joins a large number of theatres that have been impacted by the discovery of the concrete, including the Royal and Derngate in Northampton, the National Theatre, Peterborough’s Key Theatre and the Orchard Theatre in Dartford, where a temporary venue has been erected while the venue is closed.
Management of the Broadway Theatre said the discovery of RAAC meant the “difficult decision to close and cancel the first shows in our new season has had to be taken”. “The management will be in touch with all producers of shows at the theatre this season to rearrange new show dates,” a statement said.
At Risk - Scotland’s arts sector remains at risk of “collapse” if a promised uplift in government funding does not arrive in 2024, industry figures have warned. Speaking at a meeting of the Scottish parliament’s culture committee last week, Iain Munro, chief executive of funding body Creative Scotland, said that the financial situation facing Scotland’s arts sector was “the worst we’ve ever seen it”. Munro told MSPs at Holyrood: “We’re having to make very unpalatable decisions, not because there is anything wrong with the organisations… but very simply because the resourcing isn’t there.”
All Day Long - Actress Vicky McClure and husband Jonny Owen have created a club night that's open in the day but shuts early, so you can get a kebab, the last train and be home for some Saturday night TV. As a nod to the Bee Gees' party classic Night Fever, the all-day discos are called Day Fever, where it's more "all day long" than "all night long". "It's a nightclub in the afternoon for people of a certain age," said filmmaker Jonny.
Trailblazer - Tributes continue to be paid to Annie Nightingale who died on Friday, aged 83. Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, called Nightingale a "uniquely gifted broadcaster". He continued: "As well as being a trailblazer for new music, she was a champion for female broadcasters, supporting and encouraging other women to enter the industry. We will all miss her terribly."
Her family said, "Never underestimate the role model she became. Breaking down doors by refusing to bow down to sexual prejudice and male fear gave encouragement to generations of young women who, like Annie, only wanted to tell you about an amazing tune they had just heard.
"Watching Annie do this on television in the 1970s, most famously as a presenter on the BBC music show The Old Grey Whistle Test or hearing her play the latest breakbeat techno on Radio One is testimony to someone who never stopped believing in the magic of rock 'n' roll." They added that a celebration of her life would take place at a memorial service in the spring.
(Jim Evans)
16 January 2024
