Concerts
Rodrigo y Gabriela
The story goes that Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero played in a thrash metal band in their native Mexico. Presumably having failed to thrash the charts the band split, jettisoning our nimble-fingered …
- Originally published: 1 Dec 2008 in Concerts
Omara Portuondo
At the time of writing, the Cuban singer is seventy eight years old and when she wants to, she can still belt them out. There just wasn’t much cause to do so …
- Originally published: 28 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Lambchop
Before I saw the band in concert, I would never have called the music of Lambchop romantic. Somehow, within a couple of tracks from their new release OH (Ohio), I found myself …
- Originally published: 28 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Seun Kuti & Africa 80
Seun is the youngest son of the late Fela Kuti, the politically active leading light of Afrobeat. Having grown up in the thick of that scene, Seun now heads Africa 80, the …
- Originally published: 25 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Arthur H: L’Abondanse
H, the son and nephew respectively of eccentric singers Jacques Higelin and Brigitte Fontaine, is something of a musical lacuna himself. Throughout the course of thirteen albums, the Frenchman has pinballed between …
- Originally published: 23 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Matthew Herbert Big Band
After an awkward warm-up from studenty noodlers Wixel, who might be the Flemish answer to Sigur Rós, the stage of Brussels’ Ancienne Belgique was quickly cleared and rearranged for the main event …
- Originally published: 3 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Buena Vista Social Club presents (2008 Tour)
Last year, we managed to get tickets for the Buena Vista Social Club presents date at Sheffield City Hall but we were in the cheap seats. Having long since learned that the …
- Originally published: 9 May 2008 in Concerts
Toumani Diabaté
For over 700 years, the griots have wandered the plains and villages of Mali, as much a part of the landscape as cottonfields and the Harmattan dust clouds. Griots (or “jeli” to …
- Originally published: 4 May 2008 in Concerts
Salsa Celtica
I first heard of Scottish band Salsa Celtica back in 2004, courtesy of WFMU radio’s Doug Schulkind. I was just starting to get interested in latin and world music at the time and …
- Originally published: 28 Apr 2008 in Concerts
The Lion roared
Cadillac Jukebox @ The Lion, Castleford The problem with being a covers band is that your audience tends to judge you on the quality of your renditions rather than the quality of your …
- Originally published: 27 Oct 2007 in Concerts
Elsewhere on MikePadgett.com …
Nanny McPhee
Director: Kirk Jones USA / UK, 2005 For children, Emma Thompson’s screenplay is a cautionary tale about the consequences of cheeking one’s elders. For adults, it’s a solid argument for the use of …
- Originally published: 8 Sep 2006 in Film
Lambchop
Before I saw the band in concert, I would never have called the music of Lambchop romantic. Somehow, within a couple of tracks from their new release OH (Ohio), I found myself …
- Originally published: 28 Oct 2008 in Concerts
Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Director: George Roy Hill United States, 1969 This movie is a legend about a legend, if you will. Newman and Redford are the pardners in crime, an iconic double-act that robs trains and banks, …
- Originally published: 19 Feb 2007 in Film
Blame it on the Bellboy
Director: Mark Herman United Kingdom, 1992 The inoffensive – often romantic – British comedy is the plat du jour of Mark Herman. His oeuvre is small potatoes compared to the smorgasbord of Working Title …
- Originally published: 19 Apr 2007 in Film
Inside Man
Director: Spike Lee United States, 2006 Spike Lee’s bank heist movie feels like it’s been buffed to a high shine. There’s absolutely no dirt on Inside Man: the characters are impeccably attired and sharp …
- Originally published: 29 Jan 2007 in Film
Who is that guy?
Hello you. I'm Mike Padgett and I work in the technology sector as an Information Designer.
I also enjoy travel, concerts, films and walking.
I'm based in Brussels, Belgium. My current favourite Belgian beer is St Feuillien Brune.