Alcopop show rocked the flake out of G&Ds

It’s always fun trying gigs somewhere that little bit different… So last Thursday Alcopop took to G&D’s Ice Cream Parlour on the Cowley Road in Oxford (so a bit of a homecoming show in essence). How lovely it was, and amidst copious amounts on magnificent flavoursome ice cream (with gummy bears the only choice) a vaguely confused crow gathered, wondering what to expect. I too wondered. Slightly worried.

On first, and supplying the PA were the charming Boog who impressed a strong local following, before The Family Machine swept up the gig in a folk-tinged fist of glory. Reminiscent of a bunch of old country yokels (without the straw hats) they sat on a bench and regailed delighted revellers with new songs, old songs and all sorts really. They were ace; consummately delicious some might say. In terms of ice cream, imagine a big nutty caramel swirl served on a wafer – with added smartie topping.

Then came the Candle Thieves, clearly delighted with the scene, to deliver what has to go down as one of the top ice cream shows ever seen in Oxfordshire….  Sparklers, glockenspiels, ceremonial reveries of some starry-eyed kids and more, they left the stage to a standing ovation. Hot chocolates and sugar topped waffles flying about in abject happiness. A super night!

Ah it was ace… Thanks to G&Ds for putting it on, and look out for the next one. It will be ace I promise thee.

New Family Machine video

It’s Sunday, I feel incredibly tired after a particularly broad weekend which took in the sunnier side of the UK – but all is well at Alcopop Towers, and whilst filtering through a few of the weekends straggling emails I stumbled across this rather lovely homemade snippet of film recorded by old Alcopop favourites ‘The Family Machine’.

By their own admission, “it’s true that during those chilly  post Christmas winter months Family Machine have been spending a fair amount of time living in our burrows below ground” – but they’ve obviously had a game of Mastermind and a sock to hand, because they’ve created this little gem.

You have a look – I’m off to bed…