Latest news with #BlueMonday
Irish Examiner
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Forest Fest review: Peter Hook and Teenage Fanclub among highlights of Day 2
Forest Fest, Emo, Co Laois, Saturday July 26 ★★★★☆ If you, like me, are one of those sad sacks who bore all and sundry by moaning about the 'good old days' of festivals then Forest Fest in Emo, Co Laois will finally shut you up. Now in its third year, this boutique gathering sports a well looked after car park and campsite for a start. Once inside, the Village and Perfect Day stages are to your right, or head straight for the Fleadh (and some nice craft beer action) or the main stage. The site's compactness saves on shoe leather but means there's some sound spillage between stages, albeit nothing that'll spoil anyone's day. A great kick-off from Limerick's Dylan Flynn & The Dead Poets, whose early Springsteen, saxophone-driven rocking eventually drew an enthusiastic crowd after a brief delay with the gates. These Charming Men's Smiths tribute was as superb as always. Therapy dotted their set with Philo-isms ('We need your helping hands') and they (and Kilkenny's Kerbdog) were like a shovel to the head but in a good way. Peter Hook & The Light provided an enjoyable time-trip, despite the fact that Hooky and his guitar player couldn't make up half a singer between them. I haven't seen two bass players on stage since the glory days of Spinal Tap but versions of Blue Monday and Love Will Tear Us Apart are always welcome. Teenage Fanclub at Forest Fest. A brief stop for a bit of head-banging to the concertina of Buille before joining a packed tent for the Classic Beatles. 'John's' wig disproved all of Isaac Newton's apple-related theories but that didn't stop a great show, almost drowned out by the communal singing. Later, we were treated to a spirited set from Manic Street Preachers. "Do you remember the 90s?' James Dean Bradfield asked. It's a safe bet most of this audience does. Huge cheer for Design For Life, as there always should be, and the rest of a career-spanning selection from the Welsh Clash, especially a particularly good You Love Us, which we undoubedly do, was equally useful. 'You're the people we're here for!' Right on. The sound wasn't great at the back, and the bar and the bathroom were a fair hike from the front of the main stage, and more toilets are always welcome. But these are minor quibbles at a festival where the staff were fantastic and there was a fine variety of food and drink. My night ended with Teenage Fanclub because there will always be something irresistibly attractive about the combination of overdriven guitars and harmonies. Everything they played was teleported in from some glorious jangly dimension, but the selections from 1991's Bandwagonesque, especially The Concept's heavenly coda, were a blessing. A near-perfect ending to a great day out. Where can I get a ticket for next year? Read More Mary Coughlan review: Ride On among the highlights of triumphant homecoming show in Galway
Stuff.tv
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Best electronic instruments in 2025, including MIDI keyboards, drum pads and samplers
Electronic instruments have come a long way since New Order sequenced Blue Monday using binary code. Now it's all quantised beats, USB-C, and expensive noise-cancelling headphones. And if you're in the market for modern melodies, these are the machines you need. From MIDI keyboards to beat pads, below you'll find an orchestra of tools for making electronic music. Whether you're tinkering with your first track or ready to lay down another lo-fi banger, the kit listed here will help you sample, sequence and synthesise your way to a smash hit. Or at least something worth sharing on SoundCloud. Don't know your MIDI DIN from your MIDI in? We've also broken down some electronic lingo to help you out. Give it a read, and you'll know your controllers better than Jean-Michel Jarre knows his laser harp. Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products. The best electronic instruments you can buy today: The rhythm rig 1. Native Instruments Maschine Mikro Amadeus never needed drum pads. Then again, Wolfgang didn't do trip-hop beats. If your unfinished symphony is more Massive Attack than Mozart, try this groovebox. Colour-coded pads help you compose percussion parts with targeted taps, while a Smart Strip lets you mix up your kicks with Perform FX. Plus, the Maschine software has more instruments than an orchestra. The groovy grid 2. Novation Launchpad X You need light and sound for a desktop disco. Luckily, this rainbow grid does both. Like a dancefloor for your fingers, the 64-pad plinth lets you paint your tunes with RGB pixels. Designed for Ableton Live, it also functions as a fully mappable MIDI controller. Tap out patterns on the velocity-sensitive squares, and the capture mode will ensure you never miss a beat. The stealthy stepper 3. Arturia BeatStep Sometimes the biggest beats start with something small. Don't let its stature fool you: this compact controller can do it all. Use its pressure-sensitive pads for finger drumming or switch to sequencer mode to create 16-step patterns. Matching pitch knobs give you granular command of every note, while iPad connectivity means your rhythm isn't tied to a desk. The sound snatcher 4. Teenage Engineering EP 133 K.O. II The music man might be able to play the piano, but can he record a dog's bark and sequence it into a drum and bass banger? Probably not, but this distinctive sampler can. Styled like a Lego answering machine and just as fun to play with, battery power and a built-in mic mean it's made for going walkabout. Punch-in effects let you mangle samples on the fly, too. The standalone studio 5. Yamaha SEQTRAK You could build a studio in your shed. Or for a portable production setup, try this Yamaha hybrid. Part sampler, part sequencer, part synth – plus a sound effects section: the SEQTRAK is a self-contained station for crafting electronic jams. Lightweight but heavy on features, it includes a library of 2000 presets. There's even an integrated speaker for impromptu gigs. The rugged recorder 6. Roland SP-404MKII It might look like a hardcore calculator, but this button box is actually built for crunching notes, not numbers. Tough enough for any beat battle, its hands-on interface and signature sounds have made the SP a cult hit with DIY musicians. An OLED display makes it easier to layer loops, stack effects and slice samples in real time, which is a lot more fun than solving equations. The mini maestro 7. Akai Professional MPK Mini MK3 The Swiss Army doesn't need a MIDI controller. If it did, this would be the one. A fun-sized performer you can play several ways, it's a versatile utensil for tinkering with tunes. The 25 mini keys keep your fingers busy, along with eight pads, a pitch stick and a built-in arpeggiator. Assignable knobs complete the ensemble. The only thing missing is a bottle opener. The tactile tinkler 8. Roli Seaboard M When is a mini keyboard not a keyboard? When it's a haptic slab of sonic expression. Swapping regular keys for a responsive playing surface, the smallest Seaboard lets you glide, slide and press your way to organic sounds that a pitch wheel could only dream of – from swelling synths to string vibrato. Need more range? Magnetic connectors let you attach additional boards for extra octaves. Buy Now The portable performer 9. Korg nanoKEY Fold Even composers need a summer break. Pack this travel-sized MIDI keyboard for tunes wherever your next tour takes you. Lightweight at just 126g, the flat-pack piano folds in half without sacrificing features. 25 silent membrane keys mean you can rehearse without disturbing fellow passengers, while a pair of touch sliders let you perfect your melodies, whether you're taking them to Malibu or Ibiza. How to choose the best electronic instrument Looking to buy the best electronic instrument but don't know where to start? Here are some things to consider: Pads: Want to finger drum like Fred Again? Pick a tool with percussive pads. Some are velocity-sensitive for responsive beats, while others have RGB backlighting for better visual feedback when you're deep in the groove. Want to finger drum like Fred Again? Pick a tool with percussive pads. Some are velocity-sensitive for responsive beats, while others have RGB backlighting for better visual feedback when you're deep in the groove. Keys: MIDI keys come in different renditions, from plasticky plonkers to pressure-sensitive sets. If you play piano, you'll want ivories with proper travel. If you just need to trigger chords, a lighter touch will do. MIDI keys come in different renditions, from plasticky plonkers to pressure-sensitive sets. If you play piano, you'll want ivories with proper travel. If you just need to trigger chords, a lighter touch will do. Connectivity: USB-C, MIDI DIN, CV/GATE: connectivity can make or break your setup. Check what language your gear speaks before shelling out. Some instruments double as audio interfaces, with input ports for mics and other sources. USB-C, MIDI DIN, CV/GATE: connectivity can make or break your setup. Check what language your gear speaks before shelling out. Some instruments double as audio interfaces, with input ports for mics and other sources. Software: Not all tools are plug-and-play. Some need a digital audio workstation (DAW) to function. If you prefer jamming to programming, pick one with built-in brains so you can noodle without a laptop. Now check out Stuff's guide to the best creative control panels.
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Caterham bids adieu to Ford Sigma engine with Seven 310 Encore
Aero and styling updates include a 620-model nose cone, CUP grille, carbon fibre front wings and Caterham's black pack detailing on the windscreen surround, headlight bowls and exhaust heat shield. The chassis is finished in gunmetal grey and the car rides on 13" black Apollo alloy wheels shod with aggressive Toyo R888R performance tyres. Customers can choose from six colour schemes, each named after a well-known pop or rock song: Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black and White Noise. Inside, the Encore features black leather seats with grey stitching, a carbon fibre dashboard, Encore-branded dials, a removable Momo steering wheel and a four-point harness. Each car includes a unique numbered plaque mounted behind the seats. UK pricing starts at £39,995 (R969,726).
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian schoolboy joins big bunch of jokers at the Scottish Parliament
P3 pupil John McGlynn from Livingston left MSPs in fits of laughter A Livingston schoolboy was one of 32 pupils from across the country who left MSPs chortling after cracking jokes at the Scottish Parliament. John McGlynn, a P3 pupil at St John Ogilvie RC Primary School, left them in fits of laughter as he represented West Lothian at the VoiceBox grand final. The national joke-telling competition is organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), with a regional winner representing each local authority in the final. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ezra Pasifull, who's in P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered with confidence and impeccable timing, was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stirling pupil Ru gives MSPs at Holyrood a welcome laugh
The Allan's Primary youngster was one of just 32 finalists from thousands who entered the national joke telling competition, with the final being held at the Scottish Parliament. A P1 pupil from Allan's Primary School in Stirling had MSPs in fits of laughter recently at the VoiceBox grand final – a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum had taken part in the contest, organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). The final, which took place at Holyrood, featured 32 pupils from across Scotland, with a regional winner representing each local authority. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ru's joke, which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Ezra Pasifull, of P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth and Kinross, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered 'with confidence and impeccable timing', was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!'.' Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School in North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary School in East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
