Amy MacBeath

Another year, another Rockness festival overlooking the world famous Loch Ness!  With an eclectic combo of rock, electronica, hip hop and dance it had a bit of something for everyone, with a couple weddings at an inflatable church thrown in for measure.  Lucky for us festival goers the weather held out (apart from one horrendous downpour) although there certainly wasn’t a lack of mud, or those dipped in it.

With so much on offer it was difficult to get round all the acts, especially with the sun shining and Soco bar attracting crowds with plenty giveaways, tunes and, most importantly, Southern Comfort! 

On Friday night in the Go North tent local band Theatre Fall all dressed in yellow drew in a decent crowd, many of whom were also donning yellow outfits.  Petite singer Lauren MacKenzie proved she’s the perfect addition to the band providing not only the vocals but the sparkle to the electronic/indie foursome.  The main stage hosted the theatrical The Flaming Lips who complete with a gang of teletubbies (or is it a gaggle?) and the perfect view up Wayne Coyne’s nose from a microphone cam (after his entrance in a hamster ball) gave the festival a wierd, creative and altogether freaky start.

Saturday I stopped by The Whip in the Clash arena to see what a lot of the hype was about with the Manchurian electonica group I’d heard so much about.  I got the impression if it had been later in the day (or had a few more beverages) it would have been really enjoyable but the sunshine outside was too appealing.  My highlight of the day, if not weekend, was the fantastic Frightened Rabbit in the Fat Sam’s tent and Scott Hutchison (who was spotted enjoying the sunshine by the VIP bar for the majority of the day…which showed) ad libbed some of the set but appeared to be enjoying it as much as us!  Of course Dizzee Rascal was a highlight for many, like the music or not, as it was impossible not to join the possy jumping to number one hit Bonkers.  I was also impressed by the concern they showed for the crowd when they cut the music, favouring some cheesy Rn’B until everyone backed up and behaved.  Headliners Basement Jaxx was an odd one – most of my friends chose not to stick around and to be honest I understand why.  The first few of the set were well known and the diva acts, constant costume changes and dancing was all very impressive but when the rapping began followed by some solo jazz trumpet it seemed to get a bit stale so it was off to the Bollywood tent for a rave.

The day everyone was looking forward to was Sunday.  It started with a stop by the Go North tent once again to check out The Ray Summers a band who are trying to recreate the Stones and Creedance Clearwater but in a modern sense with a bit of indie thrown in..only way I can describe what I saw I think.  Their frontman Andy appeared to be giving it the Mick Jagger-esque chicken dance which was very entertaining to watch.  Later that day it was back to the Go North stage for Jack Butler who just realesed their debut Fit the Paradigm and didn’t fail to impress with their whirl of jaggy riffs and catch hooks from a group of lads looking like they were heading for the beach instead of gig.  The Wombats who played at Rockness two years ago (apparently?) managed to get a main stage slot which I don’t think was really justified.  The set seemed all too similar to that they played last time in Inverness, with one new song, although the crowd were happy enough.  Biffy Clyro were once again the essence of rock professionalism firing through a tight list of songs of old and new with the shirtless trio rocking out a couple new offerings which thankfully appear to be stepping back to their heavier roots.  Placebo were on in Fat Sam’s but sadly due to the overlap it wasn’t possible to see them but I hear good things about their new album.  Headliners The Prodigy were a mixed bag of tense, angry and manic energy and with people as far as I could see raving in the dark field it was a fiery end to the weekend.  However their stopping and starting did mean the set was a little bitty for my liking as just when we were throwing some mega shapes it was slow right down while Keith Flint paced the stage. 

Fireworks finished off the night and it was off back to the campsite for the last night of banter with my tired, muddy and sunburnt friends.

So last week I decided to do some filming back up north in the Highlands.  As I am doing a masters in multimedia journalism I thought it would be a nice addition to my portfolio.  The nice folk at Culloden Battlefield were very helpful and I have cracking footage of bogs, stones, a redcoat (not a real one, just someone dressed up) and a Jacobite (sort of a real one…Ray Owens makes a living out of being a very impressive Highlander!).  It was all going reasonably well considering I was filming alone…apart from the gales, brilliant sunshine, rain and hail stones – all at once!  So when it came to doing a wee piece to camera I appeared a drowned rat with blue cheeks in front of the camera trying to talk about Culloden in the howling wind.  Disaster! 

When I came to filming in town it was better news – the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the riverside looked all pretty and green.  Even old Flora at the castle looked better than I remembered when I took her picture.  But as always you get that one comedian….as I am trying to hold very still and film up the river from the bridge some rather annoying individual thought it would be funny (and of course altogether original) to honk their horn right behind me.

All in all I hope my filming expedition went as well as I think it did and that my short documentary will look at least semi-professional.  Plus the weather ’effects’ will surely add a bit of authenticity to the piece. Spielberg, however, can relax for now!

Check out all the latest on music from around Scotland (including some of my own reviews might I add) at isthismusic.com!!!

The last week of my postgrad in multimedia journalism is here and news on the job front has only become more dismal since I started!  With further cuts at the Daily Record on top of the seemingly endless announcements of redundancies and cost cutting the future for us young budding journos is hazy! 

But I refuse to become disheartened!  The blunt, honest advice received about the realities of my chosen career only motivate me further.  As moods dip lower I am determined to remain positive and try and make the most of what comes my way. 

So, until the day comes when I have to sign on (fingers crossed it won’t happen!) I am going to be optimistic – after all there will always be a place for keen, (multimedia trained) journalists….

…let’s just hope there’s room for this Invernesian one!

Mid-terraced cottage available for rent in scenic Speyside town of Grantown on Spey. The partly furnished property consists of a lounge with electric fire, kitchen with working open fire, bathroom fitted with electric shower and two bedrooms. Electricity is by means of top up cards and there are convection heaters in the property. There is also parking available. Central location with a wide range of amenities (including post office, supermarket, shops) readily available. The area is popular for outdoor pursuits with the River Spey a short distance away. A bus service runs to the popular resort town of Aviemore (14 miles) with further shopping opportunities and transport links. Inverness (35 miles) provides transport links by road, rail and air and has plenty shops and businesses for those wishing to commute.

No smokers, pets or DSS please. Deposit & references required.  Contact macbeath4@btinternet.com or comment on this blog with contact details and I’ll get back to you!

I’ve not totally lost it don’t worry – just saw an advert for a new limited edition Walker’s crisp flavour Cajun Squirrel.  Now, I am a little baffled by this but what really got me was the small print on the bottom of the screen saying “Over 16s only”.  Why?!  I don’t understand why exactly there appears to be an age restriction…unless squirrels have a little known intoxicating quality.  Either way, that has most definitely got to be the strangest flavour of anything I have come across – the link between what I consider cajun and the fluffy tailed little creatures is also a little lost on me.  Some kid on youtube described them as cheesy, spicy and alright (he’s not going to win any food critic emmy’s any time soon)!  I am weirdly intrigued and may just have to investigate this matter further along with the other combos they’ve come up with this time!

I decided recently that I love cooking again, not just like heating something up or adding a jar of sauce but proper homely efforts that may you feel all warm and cosy inside.  It’s never fun cooking for one, there’s no satisfaction in the finished product if you don’t have someone else to enjoy it.  By sheer guesswork alone I’ve learned that I can make a pan of broth or tattee soup, macaroni or lasagna just like my mum’s and even her mum’s (both great cooks!) and my veggy efforts have gone down well with my vegetarian sister, all good signs.  Even my cranachan attempt was scoffed!  But I haven’t yet discovered my trademark recipe…my latest creation was a butternut squash risotto with chili and creme fraiche…very yummy…but I now have to go on to bigger and better things!  So the search begins to find my very own ’signature’ dish!

With the G20 Summit happening in London and protesters insisting they will bring the city to a standstill it begs the question, how much can really be achieved?  Meetings between the 22 heads of state will carry on regardless of who turns out to campaign.  I respect the folk who take the opportunity to fight for a cause they truly believe in, if it was something on a local level affecting my family I would probably be all for taking part.  My generation missed the days of sticking to the man and flower power so perhaps we don’t possess the same spirit to rebel for the cause.  I just hope that protests remain peaceful and that no fools out there ruin it for everyone – after all they are spending £7.5m on policing the summit!

This came up this morning at the BBC watching Graham Stewart present the Morning Extra programme, which I was fortunate enough to sit in on.  Once I had got over the initial shock of getting up at 5.30am it was nice to be up and about before the rush and see Glasgow calm and still as the sun came up – a far cry from the scenes I imagine will be on the streets of London.

So I’m putting fuel in my car earlier to be extra organised for my drive home and to much annoyance I discover that my poor wee car has fallen victim to one of the rogues of the road – the white van man.  Now this is not an attack on all people who operate such vehicles but to that one white van man who so kindly scratched my little car.  Now you may ask how do I know that it was you who harmed my vehicle…simple.  After overcoming my initial anger, Detective MacBeath observed that said scratches were at such a height that it cannot have been a car and the marks must have been the result of a van impact.  And how did I know it was you..you left white paint on my black car!  Pretty good investigative skills but now I am left without a culprit.  So to you who carelessly defaced my property…please leave a note next time..or better still…please don’t!!  Much appreciated.

In an attempted joke (I hope!!) I was recently told I had a voice for silent movies following my esteemed colleague been labelled (also in jest) with having a face for the radio.  Which leads me to wonder how vitally important is it in our modern multimedia world to look good.  I had my first chance today to co-present a televised news bulletin – fully prepared to look like a whale on screen I think I wasn’t as shocked as I could have been watching myself back (thank you hi-def cameras!).  I did however appear to have demon eyes as I think the lights, which I hoped were also tanning giving the heat that was adding colour to my cheeks, inflated my pupils until all I had were a couple of shiny coals where some blue formerly existed.  My co-presenter was concerned that she managed to look evil on camera.  So, what have I learned?  The camera doesn’t miss a trick!  I am beginning to understand the commitment it takes to be seen by millions every night!