ON THE RECORD:Every week in The Ticket, we ask a musician about what's on their rider. The rider is that fabled document listing the demands and extras the act wishes to have for his or her gig.
Most are not very extravagant, just seeking beers and sandwiches or, occasionally, clean socks and postcards. Some, like Katy Perry, compile outlandish multi-page riders which end up on websites such as the Smoking Gun.
Then, there's Morrissey. This week, we learned just how far some promoters are prepared to go to book the singer.
On August 4th, Moz plays the Lokerse Feesten festival in Belgium, which will be forgoing sales of such delicacies as horse sausages and snails for the day.
In order to make sure the vegetarian performer feels comfortable, the festival food stalls will instead be switching to "an array of healthy vegetarian dishes".
It's not a once-off, with Morrissey usually seeking a guarantee that no meat products are cooked or sold at the venue on the day of his gigs. According to one Scottish promoter who works with the singer, this also means "no staff can consume meat on the day of his peformance".
While it's one thing for an artist to insist on vegetarian catering for themselves, it does seem rather extreme to demand that those working at and attending the show must also adhere to their food preferences. After all, many vegetarians would be quite rightly up in arms if meat-eaters demanded meat-only catering.
But it's Morrissey and it seems that promoters are prepared to put up with such food fascism. Let's hope for all concerned that the gigs are a sell-out. At least, the singer won't be able to blame a flop gig on the distraction caused by the whiff of a greasy burger.
NEW MUSIC
TwoMillionDays
Beyond a clatter of tracks on Soundcloud, we know absolutely zilch about this Galway-based act or combo. But the tunes, especially Apotheosisand Mani pulite, are magnificently moody and perfectly crafted. It will probably turn out to be a member of the Sawdoctors.
Breakingtunes.com/twomilliondays
Tieranniesaur
Yeh Deadlies member and formerly of Chicks, Annie Tierney's new bag comes with a cheeky swagger and one hell of a groove. Check out Here Be Monstersfrom the forthcoming Popical Island Vol 2compilation (to be launched at Whelan's on June 25th) and prepare to swing.
Breakingtunes.com/tieranniesaur
Wakey!Wakey!
New Yorker Mike Grubbs and his band have already released a bunch of records for the Family label as they've sorted out their classical pop earworms and heartfelt ballads. Along the way, Grubbs has found himself starring in TV show One Tree Hill,but don't hold that against him.
Wakeywakeymusic.com
NOW PLAYING
Studio Killers Ode to the Bouncer (Self release) Smashing pop humdinger from mysterious combo with Danish, Finnish and UK members who prefer to hide (for now) behind cartoon characters. Fantastic video too.
Paul Simon So Beautiful Or So What(Decca) Doing our homework on Rhymin' Simon's new album ahead of his Irish shows next week.
DJ Harvey I Want It( Lindstrom Prins Thomas remix ) (International Feel) Nordic space-disco dons knock out a discotastic remix for DJ Harvey's new Locussolusalbum.
Barbatuques Baiana(IODA) Spine-tingling tune from the Brazilian act's O Seguinte é Essealbum as used on the latest Nike ad.
Shabazz Palaces Black Up(Sub Pop) Collective of musically sussed space cadets fronted by former Digable Planets man Ishmael Butler reach for the skies with superb freestyle boho sonics.
