BLT

Macmillan Cancer Support held their first 'Brick Lane Takeover' to raise funds and awareness for the charity. They had 41 gigs in one night, spread over 6 venues around Brick Lane.The highlight of this for many was Noel Fielding's new collaboration with Dave Brown (Bollo from the Mighty Boosh), an act called Doctor and the Pencil. This involved Dave DJ-ing (dressed as a giant pencil) while Noel drew sketches on a flip-chart and generally pranced around in a blood spattered lab coat.
They took a bit of a slating in the press, for not really doing much - but I quite enjoyed Dave's set (predictable crowd pleasers, maybe, but this part of the crowd was pleased all the same). And regardless of what Noel did or didn't do, there were guys and gals all screaming for him. It's got to be a nice feeling when all you have to do is stand up and raise your hands for the room to go mad.
The night ended with Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly (aka Sam Duckworth) playing an acoustic set at the after-party. The more I see him, the more I like his relaxed style. Mates and strangers were invited up to join in the singing, and he'd regularly break off from songs to chat to someone in the crowd. The epitome of an intimate gig.