Award winning comedian Susan Calman at mFEST!

Feisty Glaswegian Susan Calman swapped a job in corporate law to tell jokes and has since proven to be one of the fastest rising stars in comedy, reaching the semi-finals of the BBC New Comedy Awards So You Think You’re Funny? In 2005 and was a finalist in the Funny Women Competition in 2006. She won Best New Comedian at the Real Radio Awards becoming compere at Glasgow's comedy Club The Stand in the process.

mFEST caught up for a chat with Susan who's performing at the mFEST comedy marquee on Sat 31 July.

mFEST: Trust you're looking forward to mFEST, You were selected by the festival young programming team at mFEST - Do you notice a lot of young people at your shows?

Susan: Yes a lot of young people come to comedy. It has become more "sexy" what with Mock the Week and Michael McIntyre's comedy roadshow.

mFEST: Do you tailor your stand up for different audiences? As the crowd will be a bit younger?

Susan: I hope that what I say will be appropriate for all ages although if the crowd are younger I tend not to talk about my old betamax video recorder much.

mFEST: Who else inspires you in Comedy?

Susan: Tina Fey, French and Saunders, Victoria Wood, Sandi Toksvig - all tremendously funny women.

mFEST: Daniel Sloss is one of younger comics at mFEST - how do you think younger comedians, such as yourself, differ from the old guard?

Susan: We all have the same aim, to make people laugh. Younger comics tend to still be quite excited about doing comedy, though who have been around more can be a bit jaded!

mFEST: What's the best joke you've heard about a Scotsman/woman?


Susan: I can't think of one!

mFEST: You have the keys to a time machine. You can go back in time and perform on stage at a venue with an artist of your choice. Who, where would it be and why?

Susan: Judy Garland, anytime, anywhere. I love her music so much that it would be a pleasure to just be on stage with her.

mFEST: There is a lot going on this year at mFEST. Will you have a chance to check anything else out?

Susan: I don't think so! The Edinburgh festival starts on the 4th August and I'll be moving through before that. I barely have time to ensure I pack enough clothes for the month.


Susan Calman will be appearing at the mFEST comedy marquee on Sat 31 July at 9.30pm.

Tickets: £10 / £8 conc. / £7 U18s
To buy tickets call our box office on 01786 466666 or online at www.m-fest.org

Kassidy on New Music Stage

Acoustic 4 man guitar band Kassidy are featuring heavily on festival line-ups this summer from T in the Park to Reading and Leeds to mFEST.
mFEST caught up with them to find out what audiences should expect from them this weekend.


mFEST: Good afternoon Kassidy. How are you and what are you doing today?

KASSIDY: Good thank you, we are getting ready for some shows. Leaving tomorrow morning.

mFEST: You have drawn comparisons with the likes of Kings of Leon and Fleet Foxes. What do you guys listen to?

KASSIDY: Lots of music from Robert Johnston, Nick Cave to Rachmaninov and N.W.A. Listen to lots of music.

mFEST: Can you sum up your sound in three words?

KASSIDY: Acoustic harmony music.

mFEST: You served your musical apprenticeship on the much respected Glasgow Music Circuit. What of any influence did the Glasgow scene have on the music you produce today?

KASSIDY: We don't take any influence from Glasgow’s music scene.

mFEST: Trust you're looking forward to mFEST, you were selected by the festival young programming team at mFEST - have you noticed a lot of U18s at your UK shows and why do you think the kids love your music so much?

KASSIDY: There are younger kids who come to see us with their parents and I think the parents feel reminiscent of their past and the younger people just see it as new music.

mFEST: You share the same management company as the likes of Sharleen Spiteri and Primal Scream: have they had any wise words to offer you when starting out?

KASSIDY: Nothing really just to enjoy ourselves.

mFEST: You are our headliners on the New Music stage on Saturday – what can we expect from your set?

KASSIDY: Some loud acoustic guitar.

mFEST: The Festival is a mishmash of Music, Comedy, Theatre, Dance and Film – anything caught your eye on the programme so far?

KASSIDY: I'm sure it will, we will check out the site and plan our trip!

Kassidy will be on The Tolbooth New Music Stage on Saturday 31st July situated in the grounds of Stirling University.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart only Scottish Festival gig at mFEST!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are a New York four-piece who play genius noisy pop songs with boy/girl vocals, blissful melodies, fuzz guitar and blistering drums. Despite only having been together for a couple of years, The New York city quartet are one of the buzz American bands of the moment. Don’t miss them on their only Scottish festival date of the summer!



mFEST Caught up with lead singer Kip Berman to find out just how much Scottish music means to him.

mFEST: Trust you're looking forward to mFEST, You were selected by the festival young programming team at mFEST - Do you think you've got a big following with people under 18 years old?

Kip: We're pretty grateful they invited us to play and excited-- but perhaps they saw our name and thought we were a screamo band? We're more emotional softcore.

mFEST: Are you performing any new material at mFEST and can we expect any surprises from your set list?

Kip: We'll hopefully be playing a couple new songs. There are two we've been playing of late-- one's tentatively titled, "Heaven's Gonna Happen Now" and the other is called, "The Heart in Your Heartbreak."

mFEST: Your Debut album was a word of mouth sensation on the Indie Club scene in the UK. What can we expect from your next record?

Kip: We haven't started recording yet, so it's too early to say. But I like how Titus Andronicus found the thing that made them Titus Andronicus and just totally went all-in on their second record. They didn't play it safe or care if they failed. I thought I knew and loved Titus Andronicus before, but they really became Titus Andronicus on "The Monitor." Our sound is different (we're not going to make a concept album about the American Civil War with several 8 minute songs), but I like that idea of being unafraid, going deeper into what makes you the band you are and stripping away the things that aren't a part of that.

mFEST: You have the keys to a time machine. You can go back in time and perform on stage at venue with an artist of your choice. Who, where would it be and why?

Kip: T. Rex! I think Marc Bolan would be a cool guy to hang out with. I like how he sings and just everything about him.

mFEST: Will you be taking time out of your busy schedule to meet up with old friends from Scotland while you're in town? Maybe a trip to Monorail?!

Kip: Definitely, Monorail Records is the best. I hope Stephen isn't creeped out by us-- we just like his music and what he stands for. He takes his time, only puts out stuff that he believes in and has been making records for 25 years and never done anything less than wonderful.

Also, the food in the cafe is epic and it's always the happiest time of tour just to go buy some records, pay our respects and have a relaxing vegan meal. It's not a secret that the musical tradition of Glasgow (Orange Juice, The Wake, Teenage Fanclub, The Pastels, The Vaselines, Close Lobsters, Strawberry Switchblade, Belle and Sebastian, Aztec Camera) is very important to us. I know people fetishize Brooklyn and New York, but I never cease to be surprised that half the records I like are from Glasgow.

mFEST: You regularly cite Scottish bands as a particular influence on your sound. However I hear a lot of Creation Records/Sarah Records in your sound. What is it you think makes Scotland's musical heritage so special?

Kip: I think there's a few definite traditions, and they're all cool in their own right. You have the Orange Juice/Josef K tradition, which celebrates a different idea of masculinity, it's clever and romantic and unabashedly pop. And then you have the Jesus and Mary Chain side of things (though technically they're from East Kilbride, i think?) which is this dark, noisy and combative super cool aesthetic. The Pastels brilliance is combining the noise and primal art/rock of The Velvet Undergound with the charming, playful and seductive qualities of Jonathan Richman.

It was once explained to me that the American West Coast was hugely influential in Scotland in the late 70s and 1980s, sort of as a way to reject English cultural influence and possibly simply due to the exotic-ness of California in a northern industrial city. Bands like Teenage Fanclub sound like The Byrds with a bunch of fuzz pedals. There's something really American in that sound, but for whatever reason it sounds better coming from Glasgow. It's not imitation, but re-imagining-- it never feels fake. So yeah, I don't know-- there's just so much musically to draw inspiration from--and that's not even getting into the "idealized pop" side of things like The Associates or Aztec Camera. Even contemporary stuff is quality-- Franz Ferdinand was huge on the radio in America without ever sounding like the kind of band that could be. So yeah, in conclusion, bands from Glasgow are the coolest and I have no idea why.

mFEST: Thank you and see you at mFEST guys!!

Kip: Thank you! We're excited to get to come to Stirling and play the festival!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart play The Tolbooth on Saturday 31 July at 8pm with support from Astral Planes and Three Blind Wolves

Tickets: £15 /£12.50 conc. / £10 U18s

For tickets call our box office on 01786 466666 or online at www.m-fest.org

Chat with Pearl and the Puppets

Pearl and the Puppets


3 days til m-fest!!!

Amazing line-up for Albert Halls gig on Saturday 31st July...



Pearl and the Puppets are performing along side Tinchy Stryder and Daisy Dares You at the Albert Halls on Saturday 31st July. mFEST caught up with Pearl and asked if she is looking playing alongside the grim-goes pop Tinchy Stryder and rising start Daisy Dares You.

Pearl: “Yes! Daisy Dares You seems lovely with great songs and I can't get Tinchy's music out of my head! Will be great to play along with both of them. They are very talented artists.”

mFEST: Trust you're looking forward to mFEST,You were selected by the festival young programming team at mFEST - have you noticed a lot of U18s at your UK shows and why do you think the kids love your music so much?

Pearl: It's strange...I wasn't doing many under 18 shows because the venues wouldn't have the license....but I recently did a few at the beginning of the year and I couldn't believe the crowd that showed up! Glad they like it though. A lot of people contact me on the networking sites saying they can relate to the songs. It puts a smile on my face :)

Three years ago Pearl was studying to be a primary school teacher and working in Woolworths. Something had to give. Pearl bought a guitar and abandoned her degree at Glasgow University.

mFEST: You served your musical apprenticeship on the much respected Glasgow Music Circuit. What of any influence did the Glasgow scene have on the music you produce today?

‘I suppose Glasgow has a big influence as the songs are about situations I've been in or things I've experienced or witnessed. There are a few songs with Scottish words in them and I didn't even realise.’

In three years Pearl has gone from shopgirl to supporting one of music’s biggest legends,

mFEST: So… we're all dying to know…. Tell us about supporting Elton John? You share the same management company right? What did it feel like going on stage before such a legend?

Pearl: Yeah. He is sort of the boss of the company. Very much involved with the artists which is really cool!

Woolworths Pick’n’Mix counter’s loss was definitely our gain!

Tinchy Stryder, Pearl and The Puppets and Daisy Dares You
Sat 31 July 8pm Albert Halls
Tickets: £20 /£17.50 conc. / £15 U18s

It is only 4 days till mFEST!

So as the days tick closer to mEST you will realise we have so much going on over the weekend that you would be daft to miss out! With a massive selection of music, drama, film and dance - like we keep telling you; there really is something for everyone! But don’t think for a moment that everything over the weekend requires you spending a fortune. As you saw in our previous blog we have lots of free workshops happening over the weekend that you can sign up to participate in. Remember though, first come, first served! However, if you do not manage to make it to the workshops we also have lots of street theatre going on around the university grounds to keep you entertained.

On Monday we have Chipolatas. Established in 1992, The Chipolatas present unique performances incorporating high-octane circus skills, music, theatre and dance. Blending accordion and acoustic rhythms with hip-hop and street style, their performances and inspiration are embedded in worldwide culture.

Conflux is an extraordinary series of large scale street performances who will also be attending mEST. Brought to you by internationally acclaimed director Hilary Westlake, Conflux involves a cast of 16 acrobatic and musical performers from across Scotland.

More street theatre events include;

On Friday and Saturday, Monika and Isabella are two real life statues who delight and surprise audiences of young and old alike. On Friday, Sunday and Monday things start to heat up as we have Ross Thifaryian, a spectacular fire eating street performer. Also on Friday and Saturday, Lorna Strachan will be providing face painting for anyone in the festival mood. Lorna is currently recognised as the foremost face painter in Scotland, ranked 9th in the world (2008-2009 world championships in Austria) and was the only authorized face painter in the ‘zone’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Street Festival last year.

Remember entry to the university grounds over the weekend is free! So come along and have a nosy, pick up a brochure and see what’s on. Try not to have too much fun!

For more information on mFEST phone our box office on 01786 466666.

Free workshops anyone...

Well, needless to say Mfest will be kicking off with a great start and I know you’re all probably excited about the fab shows and events going on over the festival, but there’s so much more going on like workshops to try something new, and they’re FREE!!!



I know when you read “there’s something for everyone…” you think aye right they can’t cater for everyone well believe me the mFEST guys have made sure there’s a little bit of everything for you to try out. If you’re like me and love anything that gets the creative juices flowing you’ll love the variety we have to offer, from play writing with Douglas Maxwell who’ll assist aspiring writers to DJing with Jonny Whoop who’ll teach you the basic DJ techniques. Want to learn to beatbox? There’s even a session with Ruari Sutherland who’ll get you spitting out some pretty sick beats. There’s so much more going on over the festival that you’ll not wanna miss out on so take a wee walk around or pop into the macbob and we’ll fill you in!

For more info pop in to see us at macrobert, check out www.m-fest.org or call us on 01786 466666

See ya soon!

Exclusive Limited Offer

Are you all geared up for mFEST then? You do know it’s only three weeks away! But good news macrobert friends if you aren’t quite as organised as you should be, because the mpower team have created a lovely Stand by Pass just for you.

So if you can’t quite decide who and what to spend your money on, this fantastic pass may just be the choice for you! It allows you to pick six events from the line up over the festival where you are guaranteed a space. You will then receive your festival pass which will allow you entry to any of the acts performing over the weekend for free, subject to availability when you turn up.

The Festival Passes cost £100 full / £85 concession / £70 under 18s – and guess what... Only a limited number are available, 300 to be exact! So book now to avoid disappointment.

Some of the headline acts are Chart topping Tinchy Stryder playing the Albert Halls on July 31st. We also have Hadouken! performing at the Tolbooth with special guest New Young Pony Club and Unicorn Kid on Friday 30th July. Plus just recently announced this week added to the line-up was Calvin Harris! He will be doing a DJ set with special guests on Monday 2nd August.


(Clip of Hadouken!)

If music isn’t your thing we have Daniel Sloss, Susan Calman, Jarlath Regan and Axis of Awesome, (to name but a few) they are all taking to the stage at the Mfest comedy marquee.


(Clip of Daniel Sloss)
Or you can choose from a selection of dance or drama. La Fura dels Baus will present an intense physical dance performance exploring growing up, freedom, independence and the society we live in today. While Controlled Falling Project are a gravity defying circus act, that will really make you feel energised! On the drama front we have Apples, where you can enter the chaotic world of Adam & Eve – on a council estate where cheap booze flows as freely as the wild experiences of the teenagers that live there.


(Clip of Controlled Falling Project)

Plus if you just fancy escaping for the weekend but with nothing too full on, we have a large selection of films on over the mFEST weekend, such as Pan’s Labyrinth, 10 Things I Hate About You and Little Miss Sunshine. They will either be shown in our lovely filmhouse or our outdoor cinema! Yes that’s right! So feel free to bring your picnic, grab your blanket and snuggle up and enjoy our screenings just for you!

Interested? If so then call our box office on 01786 466666 for more information on our Festival Pass, or any of the mFEST performances.

Get ready for the end of mFEST with Calvin Harris DJ Set

Get ‘Ready for the Weekend’ as the self-proclaimed king of electro-pop Calvin Harris likes to say. Calvin will be getting behind the decks at mFEST for an exclusive DJ set and ironically, it’s a Monday night; but I’m sure that won’t bother the young people at the festival.

mFEST Young Programmer Rhian Campbell, 15, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted Calvin Harris has agreed to DJ at the closing party, he was one of the first acts we went to see live ahead of programming the festival, and the first we approached last year to play; to have actually booked him now is a major achievement.”

Given his history of endearingly shameless self-promotion (well, what do you expect with debut album entitled I Created Disco!), it’s safe to expect a few of Harris’s own dance floor-filling tunes to be dropped into the set – including recent smash hits ‘Ready For the Weekend’ and ‘I’m Not Alone’, as well as ‘Dance Wiv Me’, the collaboration that finally sent Dizzee Rascal stratospheric.

The ‘I Created Disco star’ has come a long way since he took over the nation’s music charts in 2007 with his stunning debut album “I Created Disco”, a bold statement of intent that gave the UK dance scene a much needed shot in the arm before crossing over to massive commercial and critical acclaim, while singles “Acceptable in the Eighties” and “The Girls” took over the country's clubs as well as the charts, proving that whilst the young man from Dumfries may not have exactly created disco he had certainly reinvented it for a new generation of music lovers.

“What I’m into at the moment”, says Calvin Harris, “is the idea of stadium dance. Playing football stadiums with massive riffs, big hands-in-the-air rave anthems. The whole ‘minimal’ thing has passed, for me.”

A bold ambition, but such boldness is justifiable, coming from a man who ascended from the bedroom to the big time in the blink of an eye. At least, that’s how it appeared from the outside, back there in 2007.

He may have barely turned 23 when he first hit the charts, but Calvin Harris had been making music, legend has it, since the age of 15 on an old Amiga computer in the Scottish town of Dumfries, when he wasn’t stacking shelves at the local Marks & Spencer.

Tickets will fly out the door for this one, so make sure you’re not disappointed for what is sure to be a closing party to remember for the first festival to be planned and programmed by young people in Scotland.

Calvin Harris DJ Set – Mon 2 Aug, macrobert marquee. Tickets: £20/£17.50 conc./£15 U18s