Take K-Stock of situation

Forty five years to the day since Max Yasgur’s New York dairy farm enabled the sixties to reach its crescendo in what came to be seen as the defining festival of the era at Woodstock, Preston’s Korova arts cafe and bar is seeking to recreate the spirit of that fabled decade with their own K-Stock mini festival.

Opened in May 2013, Korova is a versatile venue, boasting facilities to showcase comedy, theatre, music and arts.

Over this weekend, The Clockwork Orange inspired Korova bar will showcase this versatility with an eclectic line-up as the organisers set out to give Preston its most horrorshow musical event of the summer.

Here, we take a look at what is going on each day.

TONIGHT

The curtain is raised tonight by the impossibly talented Elizabeth Preston.

Armed with her loop pedal, Elizabeth creates her own rhythm while synchronising the beat with adept cello work.

If that wasn’t enough, she puts the cherry on top of her already densely layered cake with heartfelt vocals.

When asked about her influences aside from music Elizabeth came up with an interesting response.

She said: “I had a slight fixation last year on western films (I blame my dad) and started thinking about strong female characters in what can be quite a macho genre.

“I wrote a few songs from the point of view of some great characters and really enjoyed writing lyrics that followed a narrative.”

Hot on the heels of this one woman band is Jerusalem born Avital Raz.

Educated in the art of Indian Dhuprad singing, the songbird of the sacred city boasts a sound that combines the subcontinent with Celtic folk.

Friday promises to be an evening full of quality as the belles of Sam Buist’s ball look to start K-Stock with a feminine flourish.

TOMORROW

Saturday sees a bumper packed set list as Planetary Archive kick off the main acts with their throwback style to NME Indie of the late noughties.

Rocking melancholy vocals and interchanging electronic/acoustic sound, they are an act capable of covering ‘Land Down Under’ by Men at Work and still able to make it work without the slapstick. Alongside the Archive lads is Mark Kneafsey’s indie/ acoustic project Sweeney Astray.

Named after the late Irish poet Seamus Heaney’s translation of a traditional Northern Irish poem, the Celtic influence is evident in Sweeney’s slow paced relaxing lilt, and is completed by Royal College of London musician Hannah Dacey on double bass.

When we asked Mike Kneafsey what the band are most looking forward too about playing at K-Stock he said: “We’re glad to be making a contribution to the Arts and music in Preston.

“Venues like Korova and K-Stock make the town more culturally interesting and diverse.

“It will be a good atmosphere in an intimate venue. So come along!”

The pace will then move up a notch as Saytr Play burst onto the stage with nuggets from their debut EP.

With vocals ranging from rap worthy of the battles of ‘Don’t Flop’ to the soulful elevated tones of Charlotte Reynard, Saytr bring a contemporary edge to K-Stock with their distinctive style.

Saturday is rounded off by Mark Dacey, the stringed sound of the recession.
Playing songs from debut EP ‘Burn It To The Ground or Get Rich Trying’ Mark’s lyrics are on the pulse of current society and well worth a listen.

SUNDAY

The finale of the festival will feature the delicate tones of local indie folk singer August Wildflower.

K-Stock’s answer to Janis Joplin, Susie Jones, will also take to the stage as her band offer its unique version of Americana roots music.

Last but by no means least, headlining the final night at K-Stock is Mobius Loop.

The vegan eating, bongo beating home town hippies are the epitome of folk music.

Lancashire’s take on Gogol Bordello, the five-piece comes complete with double bass, accordion and harmonica and according to band member Alex O’Hara it’s not just the musical charms of the Korova that impress Mobius Loop. Alex said: “There are brilliant vegan options available from both the beer menu and food menu.”

Tickets are £3 for a day or £5 for a weekend, with doors open at 8pm tonight and 2pm Saturday/Sunday. For further information contact Korova on 01772 250701 or see their Facebook page.