July 13-14 2007
Birmingham, UK
For 5 years Capsule has been putting Birmingham on the map with its annual Supersonic festival. In an age where music is co-opted by advertising and marketing demographics and major labels treat bands as little more than a commodity to be bought and sold as they please, it’s refreshing and exciting to have festivals such as this one. This year sees an even more diverse program than ever before and is particularly exciting and special for the Capsule Ladies, as the elusive Mogwai have finally agreed to headline the event – prevented in the past by a hectic. To have the band play such an intimate show is very special indeed and with a line up that can’t be beat, whether you feel the need for some pastoral folk, heavy sludge, or post apocalyptic doom, the program is bound to have something to offer everyone.
Supersonic is eclectic yet expertly programmed and although styles are disparate there is a common thread that holds it all together: the joy of discovery. For every band you are familiar with there will be another you have yet to hear; for every artist you want to see there is another you simply cant miss.
For me the joy of Supersonic comes from the enthusiasm of its curators. Here are two people that work all year tirelessly promoting Birmingham and the West Midlands, be it through music or art. Many bands are playing here today not only because Supersonic is an amazing festival that keeps growing and attracting crowds from all over the world but also because Capsule itself is highly respected for giving bands not only a place to play, sleep and eat but more importantly an audience. It’s you people here today that really enable Capsule to continue to program and produce the most exciting alternative music festival of the summer – long may it continue.
Spencer Hickman
Rough Trade Records
