By Helen Macrae

Since the last time we spoke I’ve not (a) had a wealthy long-lost relative die and leave me a substantial inheritance, (b) landed a lucrative contract to replace Penelope Cruz as the face of Mango, or (c) married a Texan oil billionaire. In other words, I’m still broke. At this time of year I imagine that many of you are in the same boat, with students running out of loan/grant/money from the Bank of Mum & Dad, and the rest of us trying to save those pennies in order to afford to go on holiday somewhere a bit better than Bognor this summer. Fear not though, help is at hand! Like a kindly (albeit cash-strapped) fairy godmother, I’ll be here during the coming weeks to guide you through your darkest dinero-free moments. Here’s this week’s tip to get you started, and let the penny-pinching begin! 

Picnic o’clock

Since Madrid is blessed with particularly pleasant weather during the summer months, what better way to spend a lazy afternoon than enjoying a picnic in one of the city’s many parks. Head out to Casa de Campo to get away from it all, try the Retiro if you prefer somewhere a bit more central, or if ancient Egyptian artefacts are more you thing then make a beeline for Parque Templo Debod. Of course, the essential ingredient of a picnic is, well…a picnic, and since you’re broke you probably don’t have the money to skip down to El Corte Ingles for strawberries and champagne. But before you go entertaining any ideas of shoplifting, just remember many an inventive meal can be scrounged from an almost-empty kitchen cupboard…just think back your uni days when you had to do it at the end of term in order to not to starve! Tried and tested dishes include noodles and peas, tuna and ketchup, and my personal favourite, fishfinger spaghetti. Buen provecho! 

By Will Cade

Alright boys and girls, grab your dirtiest looking red shirt, your sickle and hammer, and your ready-made retractible signs: it’s time to make a picket line. May is upon us, and you can almost smell the protests brewing. The communists are gathering, posting flyers around town and posting information on that grand, digitally grafittied wall - the internet.

May 1st seems to be the day of choice in Madrid, coinciding with the Mayday protests in London. A simple Googlesearch will reveal a manifesto’s worth of blogs, message boards, and political organizations providing information for Madrid. My personal favorite (liguistically not politically) is www.kaosenlared.net. In English, Kaos en la Red means Chaos in the System, with a bi-lingual pun written between the languages (la Red - Communism). Kaos en la Red also looks to be the most organized and professional organization of the search results, but my newly acquired Spanish soul quivers when I see that they are based outside of Barcelona. A communist organization from Barcelona organizing protests in Madrid? That sounds like political upheavel in a can, or maybe a blow horn.

The protest is set to happen at noon on May 1st outside Atocha on Calle Jacinto Benavente. YouTube has tons of videos from previous protests. Just type in “Manifestaciones de Mayo en Madrid” (May Protest in Madrid) and get ready to enjoy some soft, Spanish punk music and slow moving crowds. Honestly, the crowds from these videos remind me more of a 4th of July parade in some backwoods U.S. town in the 60’s, minus the capitilism. But still, the lackadaisical sentiment remains the same. The most threatening sights on the videos are a few Mohawks - which are lethal in and of themselves - and that oh so friendly Spanish favorite, the rasta mullet: dreads and a rat tail. I wouldn’t worry about too much about safety during the day, but I hear that things can get messy at night, when the protesters go from taking it to the street to taking it from the stores.

As an a-political prankster, I might take a look at the day protest, out of mere curiousity, but I’ll skip the nightly adventures running a muck through Madrid. I’ll leave that to the adolescents and childish adults.

By Helen Macrae

You’ll have to forgive me for doing a triple-take when I saw the flyer for Forward Festival. Surely a brand spanking new event can’t possibly have a line-up THIS amazing?? Spanking aside, if good music is your cup of tea and you fancy a 12-hour thrashathon to some of the hottest DJs and acts of the moment, then dust off your dancing shoes and get thee to the Madrid Telefónica Arena on Friday 9^th May for some serious fun.

Purveyors of danceable top-notch techno and one of the few truly creative groups around, Underworld, are headlining. Still going strong an incredible 28 years after their formation, original duo Karl Hyde and Rick Smith are back to treat us to a performance fusing together elements of trance, drum and bass, dub, techno and ambient house, accompanied by Hyde’s whispered, hypnotic lyrics and hopefully sprinkled with that unique brand of Underworld magic responsible for the band’s ongoing success. Perhaps best-known for the epic “Born Slippy” (1996), considered one of the greatest dance tracks of the decade, which then became the soundtrack of a generation after it was immortalised in Danny Boyle’s film “Trainspotting”, the band have since undertaken varying projects, the latest of which has resulted in the long-anticipated release of their fifth studio album “Oblivion with Bells” (2007). Underworld have been on a long and exhilarating journey over the years, and are here in Madrid this May to show us it’s not over yet.

2manydjs are another obvious highlight on the bill. Also known as Soulwax, the Dewaele brothers only have one rule when it comes to their record collection: if it gets the dance floor jumping then it’s worth playing. Their sets and remixes are a mash up of just about anything and everything - breaks, rock, pop, country, house, you name it - in an exploration of the finest products of music history. Like their sets, the duo are full of surprises, with David in possession of a black belt in tae kwon do and Stephen named as the chairman of the Belgian Carpenters Association. If you’ve not seen the pair of them perform before, expect something along the lines of mind blowing.

Other artists confirmed so far include Spanish electro-pop group Fangoria, featuring none other than the queen of the movida herself, Alaska, and her partner-in-crime Nacho Canut, who will share the stage with Nancys Rubias, the glam-electro-clash band headed by Mario Vaquerizo. Liverpool-based group Ladytron will be treating us to their distinctive brand of electronic pop, whereas Montreal-born DJ/producer Tiga is journeying from slighter further afield to provide a blistering soundtrack perfect for a good old stomp. German producer Alexander Kowalski will be giving us a live performance of his unique blend of classic Detroit and historical Berlin techno, and Philadelphia-based producer and DJ Diplo will be showing us just why Gwen Stefani, Kanye West, Bloc Party and many others have been clamouring to undergo his remixing services. Soulwax will also be squeezing in a cheeky set and last but not least, darling of the Dutch club scene, Isis, will be there to kick off proceedings.

The fun starts in the early evening, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Tickets cost a mere 50€ in advance (55€ on the door), so go on, give your ears a treat! For further details (including more artist info, set times and ticket outlets) check out:

www.forwardfestival.es

http://www.myspace.com/festivalforward

by Will Cade

If you have seen the video for “4 Minutes,” Madonna’s first single off her new album, “Hard Candy,” you will probably notice a nearly 50 year old woman, looking good and holding her own along side JT, someone nearly half her age. But, if you blink, you might miss the dancing duo, Hamutsun Serve, who Madonna flew in to London from Japan to be in the video. They are the two sporting red, Run DMC jump suits, dancing on top of what looks like a red, 70s model Ford.

Before filming began, Rikiccho and Dayoshi had become popular on YouTube for their frenetic “popping” style, which caught Madonna’s attention one day while searching for new talent online. Unfortunately, the two have a grand total of maybe 18 seconds of screen time in Madonna’s new video, which hardly gives them justice. Their most popular video on YouTube (see link below) showcases their moves a lot better. Even if at times their “popping” can look like a robot experiencing a power surge, it’s still amazing to watch. And come on, these guys can moon walk on their knees and their back. Why that didn’t make it into the video, we’ll never know. Maybe it wasn’t Madonna’s fault. Maybe it was the video’s editor or some caffeined-up intern that cut out their lunar dancing extravaganza. Either way, there’s a plethora of Hamutsun Serve videos on YouTube. They also worked with JT during their time in London, so we might see them in another video soon enough, but hopefully for more than 18 seconds.

By Khilen Mehta

It’s 30 degrees, the sun is blazing and your mouth is parched. What do you fancy the most? - An ice cream that’s what. Well you are in luck!! Because tomorrow is the Ben and Jerrys 30th annual FREE cone day!

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day is an annual event, held in late April or early May, in which Ben and Jerry’s shops give out free ice cream cones all day. Over one million free cones are given away each year and millions of people leave the shops with a smile on their faces. All 580 locations around the world will open their doors from 12pm-8pm and treat their loyal customers to a free cone.

The first Free Cone Day was held on May 5, 1979. It was done by Ben and Jerry as a customer and staff appreciation event for the one year anniversary of their ice cream store’s opening, and has continued ever since.

With the weather guaranteed to bring out a sweat, what better way to cool down than with a free ice cream!! Here is a list of your local shops so you have no excuse for missing out!!

Plaza Mayor, 10 - 28012 Madrid - Tlf.: 913 652 039

C/Carmen, 1 - 28013 Madrid - Tlf.: 915 225 915

C/ Silvano, 77 (esquina Machu Pichu) - 28043 MADRID - Tlf.: 913 005 425

By Khilen Mehta

Bad news for James Morrison fans, good news for music fans. Earlier last week Morrison pulled out of the massive Rock in Rio festival on the outskirts of Madrid and he follows the Spanish band Hombres G who have also pulled out of the event. In his place, Stereophonics have been announced as his replacement on the World Stage. They will be playing on the 4th July, the same day as Shakira, Jamiroquai and Amy Winehouse.

James Morrison explained his reason for pulling out to be as a result of commitments to his second album which is due to come out this summer. He claimed that it would be an impossible feat for him to balance his hectic recording schedule with the festival. However he did promise that his new album would be something to look forward to, so it´s not all doom and gloom for you James Morrison fans!

And so Welsh rock band Stereophonics are set to hit Madrid. One of the most famous rock bands to come out of the country, they are sure to be a massive hit in the summer sunshine. With platinum albums, and scores of great singles such as Mr Writer, Maybe Tomorrow, and Keep Looking, Stereophonics are guaranteed to hit rock Madrid!

If you haven´t got your tickets yet, make sure you get hold of one. Artists such as Alanis Morissette, Jack Johnson and Franz Ferdinand are already lined up to play, not to mention the glorious sunshine that will be basking over the party goers. This is definitely going to be one of the most anticipated festivals of the year.

Just to whet your appetite, here is a little taster of what is to come…

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By Khilen Mehta

From May 2nd to May 4th, basketball’s most important competition comes to Madrid’s Palacio de Deportes. This event is guaranteed to cause a stir in the city as the continent’s best four teams battle it out to become European basketball champions. In a city so dominated by football, there was always a risk that the event could be overshadowed by the end of the football season, but basketball has firmly established itself as Madrid’s second sport.

To add to the excitement this year, a Spanish club has made it through to the final four. Tau Ceramica, from the capital of the Basque country, Vitoria, will be battling it out at the beginning of May against the likes of Russia’s CSKA Moscow, Israel’s Maccabi Elite and Italy’s Montepaschi Siena.

The favourites for the competition will be CKSA Moscow. With easily the biggest budget of any of the teams, their team value and class easily surpasses any of the remaining teams. Having already beaten Tau Ceramica home and away, few will bet against them reaching the final at least. CSKA have already reached the final six times before and will also be looking for revenge after being beaten in last year’s final. Maccabi Elite are also in the Final Four for the fourth time in five seasons and will be looking to clinch their third title within this time period. Italian champions Montepashci Siena are back again for the third time in six seasons, but going up against some of European basketball’s mightiest powers, head coach Simone Pianigiani may be happy to have his team considered the underdogs in Madrid. As Spain’s sole representative in the competition, all eyes will be on Tau Ceramica. They will be making their fourth consecutive appearance at the Euroleague Basketball Final Four this season, but are still chasing their first Euroleague crown.With the popularity of basketball in Spain these days, tickets for the event are hard to come by. But make sure your keep your eyes peeled for any shocks during the three days.Also make sure you take a look at the May edition of European Vibe magazine for an exclusive interview with Tau Ceramica player Will Mcdonald!

by Cynthia Goldman

I never thought I’d be so happy and so sad to leave a foreign, predominantly Muslim country. After being in Istanbul, Turkey for six days for what was originally a school trip, I was finally able to leave the country.

I had realized I lost my passport seconds before loading the bus to the airport. Of course, I panicked. I cried. I had no idea what to do. I asked myself why? How could this happen to me? I was forced to stay another day. Fortunately my brilliant religion professor was kind enough to stay with me. In the end, losing a passport in such an exotic city might’ve happened for the best. It was the most amazing experience I have had in my time studying abroad!

The country of Turkey is in both southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea. Istanbul is in the northwestern part of the country with a population of at least 10 million people. It is roughly the size of Los Angeles. The ethnic mix is mostly Turkish although it is easy to see a diversity of people and religions. Never in one city had I seen so many Catholic churches, Jewish synagogues and Islamic mosques. Nor women dressed in full-bodied black dresses with veils and gloves walking down the street chatting with their girlfriend in a miniskirt and blue hair.

The city is both modern and ancient. Istanbul was founded way back in 660 BC as Byzantium. In 330 AD, it was renamed Constantinople by Constantine the Great, who made it the capital of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire. In 1204, the city was raided by Crusaders, and then two and a half centuries later it was taken by the Turks. Istanbul was the official name in 1930.

Walking in front of the Blue Mosque in Sultanahmeht square, I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of the mosque framed between colourful tulips and clear, sunny skies. And suddenly there’s a call for prayer that adds to the mysticism and beauty. It is absolutely spellbinding!

The grand bazaar is teeming with activity with vendors speaking several languages in attempts to lure customers in there shops. You can find almost anything at the bazaar like gold jewelry and precious stones, colourful lamps, hookahs, and knockoff purses and bags.

Although the vendors could be too much sometimes, I found the Turkish people incredibly warm-hearted. When I was sitting on the hotel floor crying over my lost passport the hotel staff and travel agent were so kind telling me not to worry. Smile. Istanbul wanted me to stay. At the Turkish police station, the officers joked around and offered me apple tea while efficiently writing up my missing passport report. The travel agent who so kindly booked me another flight home and translated everything to English took my professor and me out to dinner.

Dinner was amazing. We ate at vine-covered outdoor restaurant next to a busy little pedestrian street, ancient Ottaman artefacts and a fresh foods market. The owner of the restaurant was so kind to treat us to the most delicious fruits and vegetables with fresh baked bread that was spread with hummus, butter and cheese. Then we ate kebabs with lamb, chicken, beef, rice and yogurt. I would tell you the name of the foods but I don’t speak Turkish and have a horrible memory for names.

In the end, staying an extra day in Turkey may have happened for the best. It was truly a revelational experience to see such a completely different and beautiful culture on my own. I feel that most people would have to witness it to completely understand it. As I got off the plane in Barajas Airport, I felt happy to be “home” and lucky to have gotten my passport. But also lucky to have had such a wonderful taste of Turkey.

by Maja Gojkovic

Chambao are the hottest Spanish acts around, with their continuing success and more coverage, the band are making their way further into the mainstream music scene.

If you are thinking, “I have never heard of Chambao”, not to worry, my predictions tell me we will be hearing and seeing a lot more of the band in the future.

In terms of genre the band would categorize itself as Flamenco-Electronic. Their flamenco chill sound fuses the flamenco and palos (a musical form) with electronic music.

The name of the band comes from an improvised wind-breaker that is used on the beach to provide shade (and stop the wind, of course).

The band is made up of a trio from Malaga El Mari, Edi and Dani. The group were discovered by the Dutch musician Henrik Takkenberg. Together three of them featured as part of a double CD by various artists that was released by Sony under the title “Flamenco Chill” in (2002). On the CD Chambao recorded eight songs and sold 90,000 copies and led the record label to release subsequent instalments, this time without Chambao.In 2003, the band’s first record on their own, “Endorfinas en la mente”, came out. It was released in more than twenty countries, sold over 80,000 copies and won the Premio Ondas (Ondas Award) for the Best Musical Creation in 2003. After their song release “Pokito a poko” in 2005, Dani left the band, but La Mari and El Edi continued to create the original sounds that make the band so eclectic and fresh.

European Vibe will be meeting Chambao to get the lowdown on  the latest from the band, as well as an exclusive interview. The interview will be featured in the June edition of European Vibe Magazine.  

For those of you who cannot wait until June and if the sound of Chambao tickles your musical tastebuds then you can find out more about the band on their Myspace page www.myspace.com/chambao. The band will also be playing at Palacio de Deportes on Friday 11^th April.

by Khilen Mehta

Ian Brown, the former lead singer of hit band The Stone Roses, will be performing solo this Friday at Joy Eslava. Even through an rollercoaster career, public spats with celebrities and a jail sentence for air rage, Brown still remains one of the most influential artists of his generation. Since the band’s acrimonious and prolonged break up in 1996, Brown has released five solo albums. He has appeared on several club tours and has performed at the Glastonbury festival three times since 1998 and this will be his first performance in Madrid.

Ian Brown was born in Warrington, Manchester in 1963 and his active music interests were inspired by the great Manchester bands of the time, such as Slaughter and the Dogs, and of course Joy Division. He shared his interests with his friend John Squire, who later become another infamous member of the Stone Roses. Brown joined Squire’s band The Patrol on tour as a bassist before they grouped together to form the Stone Roses. This decision was influenced by a meeting with Geno Washington, a soul legend and a personal hero of Brown’s, who told him, “You’re a star. You’re an actor. Be a singer.”

Life hasn’t always been plain sailing for Brown. Brown has had no contact with his former song writing partner and childhood best friend John Squire since the band broke up in 1996. Brown’s key reason for the band not reforming is his lack of contact with Squire along with Squire’s cocaine abuse and their differing musical tastes. In September 2005, Ian appeared to rule out a Stone Roses reunion saying “there’s more chance of me reforming the Happy Mondays than the Roses” and in June 2007 John Squire said he wouldn’t reform the Roses even if Ian Brown phoned him up personally. Brown has also had many run-ins with the law. In 1998, he was sentenced to 4 months in jail after threatening to cut off an air stewardess hands with plastic cutlery on a flight.

One thing cannot be denied, though, and that is Ian Brown still attracts the crowds. He undertook a sell out UK tour in 2005, even managing to sell out the 16,000 capacity Manchester Evening News Arena and this gig in Madrid is guaranteed to be huge.

Ignore the hype, the publicity and the rumours… It is his delivery of lyrics, his charisma and presence on stage that make him stand out. as one of the greatest artists of his generation.