The Zanzibar once again boasted packed houses throughout the three days with their judiciously acts. One night in particular proved to be exceptional with UK white female rapper Sound Of Rum (3-piece including drummer, guitarist and rapper) grabbing the strongest audience acclaim of the whole three days. Her delivery was passionate and intelligent, frankly putting the Radio 1 performing brigade to shame… This was followed by USA folkster Willie Mason by which time it was one-out, one-in at the door.

My last day was mostly spent at the O2 venues in Hotham Street to see the much touted Funeral Party and a selection of new acts from the UK’s major indie label, Bella Union. Owner of Bella Union, Simon Raymonde (formerly of Cocteau Twins) had been a keynote speaker at the conference along with his signing Eric Pulido of Midlake. During a question and answer session he explained that he only signed acts he liked, regardles of their sales potential. Eric Pulido added that he had no written contract with the mutual trust that had developed between label and act. As for the night’s music it couldn’t have been more varied and interesting. Bella Union’s latest siging Lanterns On The Lake was my pick of the showcase while on the floor above Funeral Party did just that albeit in front of a disappointingly small audience.

It struck me that in 2011, the ordinary person-in-the-street discovered Sound City; the bewildering range of quality music on offer and low cost of seeing it; and in the process added a new dimension to the event. Each year I dread it but ultimately each year I end up loving it.

http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/gallery/?album=3208&gallery=1747