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HAPPY NEWS for clubbers from the Musika camp. Following James Zabiela’s no- show on New Year’s Eve due to a flight cancellation, Musika are throwing two free entry parties. First up is on Sat 23 Jan with Musika residents and local guests at Cabaret Voltaire. The second features the rescheduled event for Zabiela, provisionally booked in for Fri 19 Feb, also at Cab Vol. ARTVINYL have announced Muse album The Resistance as the winner of this year’s Best Art Vinyl 2009. Manic Street Preachers’ Journal For Plague Lovers came second with Fever Ray’s self titled album coming third.
WEDGWOOD PICK UP COVETED AWARD
Edinburgh restaurant Wedgwood has been awarded the prize for best new restaurant outside of London by the 2010 Harden’s UK Restaurant Guide. Based on a survey of over 8000 restaurants, the new edition of the guide crowned Paul Wedgwood’s Old Town modern European eatery with its Rémy Martin VSOP Award for best newcomer based on its high quality of food and service.
AND FINALLY, as if we needed any sort of proof, a poll by Tennent’s Lager has found that the Scots really are one of the friendliest nations. Of the 2000 people asked, almost half prefer to meet up with someone who can make them laugh. Top people Scots would like to have a pint with include Barack Obama, Angelina Jolie, Cheryl Cole and Johnny Depp.
EIFF STALWART LEAVES TO PURSUE NEW PROJECTS ■ The List is sad to learn that Edinburgh International Film Festival managing director and Filmhouse CEO, Ginnie Atkinson is to leave her roles after 15 years, to pursue other projects. Atkinson has been largely credited with helping to develop both organizations. EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill said of her departure, ‘Ginnie has helped to build the reputation of the Edinburgh International Film Festival over many years and she will be missed.’ List Towers wish her all the very best for the future.
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American beauties Glasgow International Comedy Festival director Tommy Sheppard reveals a line-up with a distinctly American flavour. Words: Anna Millar
I t’s been a busy old year for Tommy Sheppard. As director of The Stand Comedy Club he enjoyed his busiest and most successful Fringe to date, and this year he’s launching a Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival that is bigger and better than ever before. Keen to be international in more than just name, Sheppard has cashed in on his growing credibility stateside to bring his biggest US contingent to date to Glasgow this March, with controversial US comic Bill Burr set to top the bill.
Burr, who recently appeared alongside Ricky Gervais and Tracy Morgan at the New York Comedy Festival, has become a hot topic in the US with his controversial mode of delivery, once famously abandoning his scripted material to launch a tireless tirade against an unsuspecting audience after they booed a fellow comedian. While his Glasgow set will most definitely be scripted, Sheppard admits anything could happen. ‘He is quite
simply one of the best, most exciting comedians working today, and will probably be one of my highlights of the festival. ‘I expect him to take no prisoners and
leave controversy in his wake’.
Burr joins a host of American talent, including Todd Barry (who film buffs may remember as Mickey Rourke’s mean boss in The Wrestler), David Letterman regular Marc Maron, stand-up and radio host Danny Lobell, Stephen Lynch, Hailey Boyle and Rachel Feinstein. Which is not to say that Sheppard has forgotten the talent closer to home: Frankie Boyle, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert, Lee Mack, Stewart Lee, Lucy Porter, Dara O’Briain and Chris Addison are just a handful of the names making an appearance.
The Magners Glasgow International Comedy Festival runs from 11–28 Mar, various venues in Glasgow. See www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com
TITP RUMOURS ALREADY IN FULL SWING ■ The snow has barely stopped falling and already rumours are rife about this summer’s T in the Park line-up. Rockers Green Day (pictured) and Muse are hotly tipped (but as yet unconfirmed) to make an appearance. They would join headliners Kasabian. This year’s festival runs from Fri 9–Sun 11 Jul. See www.tinthepark.com for more.
8 THE LIST 21 Jan–4 Feb 2010