Now, I think this is the first time we have ever 'Introduced' a festival, of course, we had to speak to the organisers of the event rather than the festival itself, that would have been silly, here's how we got on....
First of all, how did the Leytonstone Festival begin?
“It all began on a lonely moonlit road...” Oh, no sorry that’s already been done. The mundane answer is it began twenty two years ago when a small group of people thought it would be a great idea to bring some culture to suburban east London. In the last few years it has just grown and grown.
MusicMuso is a web based blog that likes to spread the word about up n’ coming bands and musicians. Over the years that the festival has been around, which bands/musicians have you seen that have blown you away?
The What’s Cookin Picnic at Henry Reynolds Gardens which closes the Festival is a real highlight and always has a great mix of bands – too many to mention. Ben Holland was also a real favourite and for jazz lovers Pete’s Skiv’s Swingfellows were more than a match for the World Cup Final. Local talent Shedloader, Emma Scarr, Lemzi and Long Lost Sun are also amazing.
Also who musically have you heard recently from the local area that you would ask the readers to check out?
All You Read Is Love Café have been hosting great music nights. The back of the café is home to East London Radio which has gained a lot of momentum over the last year.
How can someone volunteer to help out at the festival? What jobs are available and what do they get in return?
We have open meetings where people can come along and hear about what’s going on, or get in touch via the website, facebook or twitter. Absolutely everything about the Festival is volunteer run. So if you want to help get sponsorship from businesses, help with admin, put up posters, drum up publicity, give out programmes, steward events or pick up litter (!) then we’d love to hear from you.
For an unsigned band this would be a superb opportunity for them to play, please explain how they can apply and appear at the festival?
The application form is a very simple one and is available on the website and on facebook or email enquiries@leytonstonefestival.org.uk.
If there was to be a ‘face’ of the festival what would it be and why?
All of the residents of Leytonstone, because that’s what really makes the festival.
You have a good variety of vendors offering reasonably priced and delicious food during the festival, do you have a favourite that keeps coming back year after year?
Our closing picnic on the last Sunday of the festival hosts a variety of food vendors. Last year, we had some delicious Caribbean cuisine.
Name three people (alive, dead or fictional) that you would like as dinner party guests?
Leytonstone lads: David Beckham, Jonathan Ross and Alfred Hitchcock
If you could have a supergroup (consisting of living members) who would play the main stage of the festival, who would be in the lineup?
We wouldn’t need to look far… Damon Albarn would bring Blur along I'm sure… we just haven’t had the chance to ask yet.
The Arts council of England support the Leytonstone Festival, how did you approach them and was there much ‘red tape’?
The Arts Council were brilliant. Their application process was very straightforward but also VERY thorough - really made you think clearly about what you wanted to deliver and how to deliver it best.
How do you feel the festival has evolved over the years versus the growth of the area?
Well, this year the Festival is due to double in size ! Leytonstone is an ever changing area and the task we face is making the Festival professional while still maintaining the community feel.
Why is it when someone shoots at Superman he deflects the bullets with his chest, but when a gun is thrown at him...he ducks. Why is this?
“Not the face, not the face!”
In your opinion what is the greatest record ever made....and why?
Feeling Good, Nina Simone - In the midst of summer, when you wake up to the sun shining over our gleaming pocket of East London, you are feeling good.
Have you seen any ‘Spinal Tap’ Moments? (exploding drummers, bands not knowing where they are) If yes, please share!
Not so much ‘Spinal Tap’ moments, but the What’s Cookin Sunday Picnic is enough entertainment to last you 'til the following year
Did you know Arnold Schwarzenegger lived in Odessa road for a while.
Also Alfred Molina lived in Woodhouse Rd
Following the footsteps of Led Zeppelin in the 1970’s, David Beckham has persuaded Posh to do an upmarket gig in The Red Lion.
If you could describe your festival in the form of a fictional character, who would it be?
The genie from Aladdin. The festival can make your wishes come true. You just have to attend three events
Any surprise in store for the 2015 Leytonstone Festival? Very Special Guests etc?
That would be telling…..
Despite the event being pretty much volunteer run, we were going to let them off having to take part in the quickfire question round, I went, cap in hand to the gaffer who didn't even let me in his office, I could tell the answer was a resounding 'no', we strapped them in and told them to brace themselves....
Coffee or Tea?
We have one dedicated coffee drinker in the team
Coke or Pepsi?
Pepsi Max please, preferably with a brandy in it.
Pie and Mash or Jellied eels?
eels
Alfred Hitchcock or Plan B?
Hitchcock
Mac or PC?
Mac
Beard or Clean Shaven?
4 o'clock shadow
Fry up or Sunday roast
fry up!
CD or Vinyl?
vinyl
Car or Motorbike?
Minibus toot toot
Acoustic or electric?
acoustic
Camping or Camper Van?
campervan
Shower or Bath?
Trustees need downtime….. bath!
Tattoos or Piercings?
Each to their own
Bell Tent or Yurt?
Oh we aren’t hip enough to know the difference…
Robert De Niro or Al Pacino?
Can we have both?
God or Google?
God
We'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the feature and we wish them every success for this years event. The Leytonstone Festival runs from July 1st - 19th, for more information, please click HERE
SOCIAL MEDIA