Amidst all the negative news from Belfast this past week, a new mural in tibute to former Radio 1 DJ John Peel has gone un-noticed.
The mural shows John Peel at the beginning of his career, alongside an image of him in his younger years with the text “John Peel 1939-2004″
Alongside the images of Peel is a 45” copy of ‘Teenage Kicks‘ by Derry band The Undertones, a song famously described as Peel’s all-time favourite.
The artist is Mark Ervine, a noted mural painter, who is the son of former PUP leader David Ervine. The image has been done to promote Bigg Life Arts Initiative, a charity which is being set up in the Cathedral Quarter.
There is of course, another tribute to John Peel in Belfast, Graffiti under a bridge near Short Strand which reads “Teenage Dreams, So Hard to Beat”, lyrics from previously mentioned single ‘Teenage Kicks’ by The Undertones.
Meanwhile, I also spotted some new graffiti by ANCO, a prolific graffiti artist in Belfast.
On Friday night, I was at Custom House Square to see Laura Marling perform at the Open House Festival.
It was an enjoyable concert and the support acts were all excellent as well, especially, Louise and The Pins.
Managed to get some photos, not the best though. They can be found here.
Unfortunately, I left early as I was drenched, properly drenched. I had a free ticket, so I didn’t lose out by my early exit.
The reason I had a free ticket was that I won a newspaper competition. It was the first competition i’d won in just under a year.
I’d previously done quite well out of competitions. Nothing major, usually DVDs and CDs, or tickets to local concerts.
The last competition I won was flights to Blackpool, but due to the inconvenience of dates, I didn’t use them.
It was almost as if I was being punished by the “Competition Gods”, if such a thing exists, until this week when I won Laura Marling tickets in two publications. The second publication, I e-mailed to say I wouldn’t need the tickets now and they replied to admire my honesty, so I think i’ve kept the “Competition Gods” onside for now.
Also this week, I was successful in getting tickets to see Manic Street Preachers at itunes Festival.
Unfortunately, the concert is next weekend, and when window shopping for flights, saw that it would cost well over £100 just to get to London. So, I decided not to take up the option of confirming my tickets.
I’d applied a long time ago in the hope that if I was successful, I would have enough notice to get a reasonably priced flight and hotel.
It’s a pity as I love the Manics, they’re one of the best live acts i’ve seen. If you’re going to this concert, you’re in for a treat.
Meanwhile, remember by recent blogs about how many teams that have reached a European Final that I have seen live?
Currently at 28 out of 100, I might be adding Aberdeen to this list, as they face Hearts at Tynecastle when I am in Edinburgh.
I’ve just booked a trip to Edinburgh in August for the third successive summer to take in the Edinburgh Fringe, which is going to be my STLFTEM for August.
I’d decided to wait until the Irish League fixtures were published before booking this trip, and it turned out to be a risk worth taking as the date i’d originally hoped to go sees Linfield face Glentoran at Windsor Park, a game I would have missed.
So far in the six months this year, i’ve had a STLFTEM for them, though I cheated for January, using the (re-arranged from December) game between Linfield and Glentoran.
So far, the STLFTEM’s for 2011 are :
January – Linfield v Glentoran
February – Barcelona trip, Northern Ireland v Scotland
March – Northern Irelannd v Slovenia
April – Crusaders v Linfield, three Linfield v Glentoran clashes, Beady Eye
May – UEFA Cup final, Man United v Blackpool
June – 3OH!3
August – Edinburgh Festival.
Now, I just need to have something to look forward to in July.
Analogue Boy In A Digital World 