overview

Exeter’s Vibraphonic festival was founded in 2004 and has become an annual occasion hosted mainly at Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre with events also taking place across Exeter at various bars around the city and the university.

It had reached the half way point in the festival when The Toretz and The Blockheads played an intimate gig at Exeter Phoenix that could be considered the showcase of the 18 day long festival. The performance from new wave legends The Blockheads was also part of their 30th Anniversary tour. In true festival tradition the performances clash with new talent Mr Hudson and The Library playing at The Cavern.

A wide variety of musical styles, bands and DJs have been performing over the last week and there have also been workshops, demonstrations, dance performances, films and grafitti art.

Reviews here:
The Toretz
The Blockheads

Other highlights in the first week when well over a dozen acts have played were Femi Kuti and The Zappatistas and there have been some great ‘Jack To Phono Series’ performances for free in venues such as The Globe and The Northbridge Inn from acts like Panacea and Jason Webley. Festival goers have also enjoyed music based workshops and even an art installation at the Spacex.

An added feature of the festival had been The Vibraphonic radio station which has been at times been a bit quirky/shambolic but was worth listening just for the chaotic adlibs as well as intriguing programming and of course to hear the acts playing the festival. I love festival radio it always has a similar feel, shame more festivals don’t utilise this media.

The second half of the festival would include reggae’s legends The Mighty Diamonds, the return of Dreadzone, Pucho and The Latin Soul Brothers, Donavan Frankenreiter and Four Tet as well as an MC battle at The Hub.

This year the festival has found much to offer, although it is a shame they dropped the comedy this year. We hope the organisers continue to provide a diverse range of popular acts and that it’ll become an important date on the festival calendar.

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