The Guitar and Other Machines

Saturday 8th September 2018
Radio Margate, Cliftonville
 

Katrina suggested going to this, and I was immediately won over by the Durutti Column reference. We drove to Margate with her sound artist friend Peter Coyte, who I learned once made house music as “Shape Navigator” and was half of the duo SaltPeter, also turns out to have been a friend of John Allen, a hyper-eclectic DJ I listen to regularly on freeform WFMU.

The venue has an associated online radio station, with a DJ booth as part of it (plus views of the sea). Robert Stallman was spinning an interesting mix of vinyl before the gig. Three acts: three guitars + drums (nice); one bloke with lots of electronics and a bit of guitar (very layered); two guitars + violin (sublime).

Nice venue, like a mini version of London’s Cafe Oto. Open mics are ten a penny these days, and I’ve seen “open decks” once or twice, but this is the only place I know that has an “open jack” session!