The culture cognoscenti descended on the first Roundabout last night (25th July), in a Worthing Fringe highlight which saw outstanding music and poetry from the Revolutionary Arts Groop.

The audience, seated cabaret-style in the Barn Theatre, drank the bar dry as they enjoyed performances from poets, musicians and artists from Worthing, Littlehampton and London. The Bamboo Band, Roundabout's resident act, played two sets to both open and end the night, and their second set was to a crowd warmed up to the point of combustion. And the calypso outfit delivered a crowd-pleasing set which filled the dancefloor and had people dancing amongst (if not actually on) the tables.

Another highlight was an acoustic set from Arrowsmith (pictured)

Congratulations to all Northbrook Fine Arts graduates on an excellent and eclectic end of year show, in which the Worthing arts college's course really came of age.

Ranging from Christine Forbes dramatic oversized expressive drawings (remember that name - it's one to watch) to a personal favourite in Mark Morgan's insane, slightly evil, shrunken creatures (think Harry Potter on acid) in his 'Alchemist' installation, there was something for everyone.

Roundabout residents The Bamboo Band played a funked-up summer set as part of the national 'Weigh-in' for fair trade. As supporters all over the country showed solidarity in the call for greater fairness in World Trade, a slimeline Bamboo Band (just Jim, Jenn and Paul) played a 45 minute set next to giant scales in South Street Square (outside the Guildbourne Centre), Worthing.

Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Adur Festival Marquee Series, 14th June 2003

Arthur Brown and Captain Beefheart were played throughout my childhood. This may explain much.

And from the moment Arthur Brown takes the stage tonight, for a demonic version of 'Hard Rain's Gonna Fall', it's easy to see why he has a place in my memory. His vocal range breaks microphones, summons storms and brings plague and drought on the land. His stage presence - this first number is performed wearing a black veil with a shamanic staff in hand - is equally possessed and possessing. His take on this harrowing Dylan song and on Screamin' Jay Hawkins 'I Put A Spell On You' show that Arthur's magic, despite his apparently devout Christian belief, comes from somewhere altogether darker and more primal - the seat of rock 'n' roll.

I think the Adur Festival launch gig at the War Memorial in Shoreham this year was the best we ever played.

Alison couldn't make it but we had Fred and Marcus on percussion. Also Mike Keech turned up with his son in tow to play brilliant rhythm guitar and percussion. Paul played the best flute I have ever heard him play.

We played the new 'Grand Fromage' song, in honour of the nearby Deli, but unfortunately the people in the shop didn't hear us! We'll send them a recording. The man from La Galleria looked like he wanted a song, so we will have to oblige next year.

We are going to take the recording of this gig, and our gig at the airport, and release a live CD in the summer.

Click here for more info about the Adur Festival (opens in new window).