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GORDON PARSONS recommends an entertaining account of the years between Germany’s defeat in WWI and Hitler’s seizure of power
Barminess and brain food at Shambalic ‘hippy Butlins’
George Fogarty has fun at Shambala Festival, Northamptonshire
MIGUEL YOSHIDA explains the evolution and influence of the Cuban Casa De Las Americas in joining culture to the revolutionary struggle
ANDY HEDGECOCK is charmed by a skilful adaptation of Tove Jansson’s lyrical portrait of three generations of a family, overcoming grief
ALEX HALL treads warily through a messy, dialectical struggle fought in the mundane machinery of driving licences, criminal law, and birth registries
MICHAL BONCZA, FIONA O’CONNOR, JAMES WALSH and ANGUS REID review Atlas of Disappearance, Love Me Tender, Bouchra, and This Tempting Madness
Flitting between myth and the modern world, Medusa is determined to steer clear of human affairs. When her resolve crumbles, the result is petrifying in every sense
SHAMABALA has a well-earned reputation for being thoroughly enjoyable. It’s small enough to be fully relaxing, without the freneticism of its mega-fest cousins such as Boom Town and Glastonbury but with enough going on to keep you permanently stumbling upon wondrous new little nooks and crannies.
To call it a hippy Butlins doesn’t quite do it justice but is not far off the mark. There is even a “social club” marquee with stand-up, cabaret, tribute acts and karaoke in which a few redcoats would certainly not be out of place.
There’s a giant kids’ field too, along with workshops aplenty featuring everything from vocal training to interactive games illustrating the nature of fiat money and the power of private banking.
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GEORGE FOGARTY reflects on the politics expressed at this year’s festival where contradictions abound, but the music kept it real
CHRIS SEARLE urges you to listen to two new albums by the US Indian pianist VIJAY IYER
The Bard does Bearded Theory, and lodges a complaint about bandnames
STEVE JOHNSON relishes a celebration of the commonality of folk music and its links with the struggles of working people the world over