Leeds is in the middle of the cold winter months, and times are hard. Every day is like Sunday. Life is simply taking and not giving. You wander around aimlessly like a boy with a thorn in his side, and ask yourself, am I still ill? It feels like someone is squeezing your skull. Heaven knows you’re miserable now.
But then you hear about Mozfest, and suddenly in the distance, there is a light that never goes out.
This special night dedicated to the music of Morrissey and The Smiths sounds like just what the city needs right now. I demanded to know if the creative genius behind Mozfest Nicola Chapman was available for a few questions. “Ask me, ask me, ask me” is what she said. So I did.
Take me out tonight, where there’s music and there’s people and they’re young and alive…
Not tonight unfortunately but on Saturday 11th February – scheduled to pre-empt this Valentine’s thing that some people feel the need to get on board with every year. The plan was for all us clued-up (not bitter!) singletons to get together and laugh in the face of commercialized ‘romance’ whilst declaring ‘I’m attractive and free and committed to Morrissey – to hell with your farcical nonsense of a love day’. In the interests of equal opportunities however the event is also open to other types: couples, the elderly, the facially challenged – I welcome you all.
Panic on the streets of Manchester – Mozfest is being held in Leeds! What difference does it make?
It makes none. I totally love The Smiths nights that they hold at the Star and Garter (Manchester) and this is my nod to that and to similar events I’ve attended in Leeds in the past. I think Morrissey’s lyrics and the symbolism that he borrows from kitchen sink drama resonates with anyone that has lived in the North, whether it be sixty years ago or today. It may be a cliché but it is grim oop here and I like it like that. If I wanted glitz and glamour and razzzle dazzle I’d move to Milton Keynes…
I hear the very best local bands will be performing covers on the night, plus Wonderful Woman Nicole and This Charming (wo)Man Nal are DJing the indie disco afterwards…
It’s 25 years since The Smiths released their last album and split up and I thought that was a note worthy anniversary that needed to be marked. All the local bands that I have asked are fans of the band and have been influenced by them in some way and I’m really looking forward to hearing their versions of the songs they have chosen.
I think there is a tendency for the guitar band/indie scene to be characterized as a boys-only club; it is assumed that music obsessives are mostly male and to be fair the cult of Morrissey does encourage a particular kind of follower… But if you look at who The Smiths placed on the front of their records sleeves, the popular culture that they referenced, and the ambiguity of the lyrics in relation to sex and love and gender you realize that women – particularly those strong in the face of adversity – are celebrated throughout. To even out the potential imbalance at Mozfest I’ve got Maggie8 to headline with their awesome cover of this Charming Man, the Seven Inches, and fellow Morrissey devotees Nicole and Nal djing.
Is it really so strange to work with Jonny Strangeways?
Here’s something that Jonny probably doesn’t want people to know now that he’s all cool and rocking the trucker look but when he started the Strangeways club night 11 years ago he was a proper massive Morrissey fan and had all the records and a quiff and everything. Me and Jonny have collaborated on a Smiths night before, at Baby Jupiter in 2010, and it was tons of fun. He is more involved in an advisory capacity this time, having retired (again) from the gig promoter/club night scene. But yes it does get a bit strange sometimes, he’s just a very odd person.
It’s an Anti- Valentine’s night. I’m OK by myself, but wondered if any Famous International Playboys are coming?
Unfortunately I can’t promise any hunks – I did try to vet ticket sales and enforce a ‘hot young males’ only policy but apparently that is against EU discrimination laws and I didn’t want the Court of Human Rights turning up on the night and closing down the venue. Honestly I’m fine being single and the fact that I don’t have a date for the night is in no way an issue for me… sorry what was the question again?! Oh yes, Mr Gary C will be there, as will I Concur and the Wednesday Club so if you like fey indie boys then this is the event for you.
Please, please please,, let me get what I want… I WANT TICKETS! Where can I get them from? Are they available now? How soon is now?
Good question, priced at only £3 in advance (STBF) tickets are available from all good Leeds records shops, i.e. Crash and Jumbo – either in store or online. Or you can turn up on the night and pay a slightly higher rate of entry though to be honest I fully expect it to sell out so don’t wait, buy now, hurry hurry *ahem*.
But I haven’t got a stitch to wear!
Come as you are… sorry wrong band. I’m sure you’ll look great whatever you wear, though librarian chic – cardigan, corduroy, sensible shoes and glasses – has been mooted as a dress code. Feel free to quiff up if that takes your fancy. And anyone who arrives on a bike gets extra points.
The Queen is dead. Love live Queen Nicola!
Sorry about all the lyrics by the way. I started something I couldn’t finish. Bigmouth strikes again! That joke isn’t funny anymore. I know it’s over….
Mozfest takes place on Saturday 11th February from 8pm at The Library pub, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds. Tickets are available from Crash and Jumbo for £3 in advance.
Contact @nicochapo or visit the website for more details.