Meet the Promoters

Lullaby Entertainment

Why they’re hot: Over the last few years they’ve put on all sorts of top acts, like Vampire Weekend, The Whitest Boy Alive, The Drums (in collaboration with Club Soma), Mogwai, The Naked and Famous and Herbie Hancock. Enough said.
What’s next: Next gig is planned to be next year.
Catch them at: www.lullaby.co.th

BEC TERO

Why they’re hot: One of the biggest music promoters in Bangkok, they’re known for big names and big-scale productions like the Lady Gaga extravaganza earlier this year.
What’s next for them: Hitman: David Foster and Friends live in Bangkok (Nov 5).
Catch them at: www.bectero.com

Have You Heard?

Why they’re hot: First The Pains of Being Pure at Heart (last Feb), now Beach Fossils, you’ve got this switched-on crew to thank for bringing a taste of New York cool to town.
What’s next: They are planning to have at least 3 gigs next year which are still in the process of finalization.
Catch them at: www.facebook.com/HaveYouHeard.Live

Up-and-coming concert organizers

The World May Never Know

Who: Photographer and music video director Tokin T-Kanun and one half of psychedelic synth-pop duo Stylish Nonsense Wannarit “Pok” Pongpayoon.
Why they’re hot: They’re Bangkok’s biggest proponents of experimental music, putting on shows that feature all sorts of post-rock, ambient and noise acts, including many bands on Panda Records (think Bear-Garden, Basement Tape and the latest Summer Dress), the label Pok co-founded, as well as the ongoing art-meets-music project A Part of You, A Part of Me.
Highlight reel: A Trip to the Universe: Asobi Seksu Live (May 2012), Stone Free Music Festival (Dec 2011).
What’s next: The second Stone Free Music Festival is set for mid-Nov.
Catch them at: www.theworldmayneverknow.com

Supersweet

Who: Choltida Pekanan, Krittiya Sriyabhandha, Chanachai Ohpanayikul, Tasaporn Suntornsuk and Jiro Endo.
Why they’re hot: With an equally strong passion for music, fashion and art, the crew’s concerts tend to be innovative affairs that span all three; witness their successful collaboration with Thai designer brand Sretsis to bring out London twee-pop band Summer Camp a few months back.
Highlight reel: Supersweet Live Summer Camp (May 2012), Black Lips (Jan 2012).
What’s next: Another international act is on the cards for early 2013.
Catch them at: www.supersweetlive.com

Underground Party People

Popscene

Who: Members of Bangkok rock band The Standards and friends.
Why they’re hot: Popscene Live may have been launched by The Standards, whose members are British and Thai, but rather than hog all the limelight, the boys are all up for opening up the stage to some of the city’s finest, albeit largely unheard, underground bands, plus the odd international indie act.
Highlight reel: The most recent Popscene Live with The Chipmunks, A Band Called Malice and Noah’s Tape (Sep 2012), Popscene Live featuring Brett Newski (Sep 2011) and Popscene Live Zebra & Snake (Dec 2011).
What’s next: The next indie DJ night is set for Sep 21 at Café Democ while the next Popscene Live will be at The Robin Hood on Sep 28. The Standards will also be among the acts to play on the dedicated Popscene Stage (along with headliners Young Knives from the UK) at the Culture One festival on Nov 17.
Catch them at: www.facebook.com/thestandardstunes

Goodcat

Who: This new collective only formed in Feb this year as a sort of spin-off from Club Soma. Members Som (Sirasa Kanchamas), Jib (Nisa Jewcharoen) and May (Nattanart Suprapatanant) promise a more specific music policy than their sister promoter.
Why they’re hot: Apart from their regular Britpop-centric DJ nights, which have all the ramshackle charm of a good house party, Goodcat are also supportive of fresh local underground acts performing both covers and their own material. These live sessions sometimes veer into masculine hard rock territory.
Highlight reel: Goodcat Loves Pulp (June, 2012), Goodcat Paw Fest (Aug, 2012).
What’s next: They’re planning a Beatles tribute night for early Oct.
Catch them at: www.facebook.com/goodcatgonebad

Movers, Shakers, Tastemakers

ZudRangMa

Who: DJ Maft Sai (Nattapon Siangsukon) and Chris Menist put on their first Paradise Bangkok party back in 2009, before launching their increasingly popular (and extremely hip) monthly Isan Dancehall nights.
Why they’re hot: Not too many people can lay claim to almost singlehandedly reviving entire genres, but ZudRangMa have brought not only Bangkok but the world’s attention to Isaan roots music. Mo lam and luuk thung have never been so cool! In addition to spinning Afro/Asian dancehall tunes from Accra to Ubon, they’ve presented local audiences with exciting acts like The Cambodian Space Project and opened new ears to one of the original Thai mo lam stars, Dao Bandon.
Highlight reel: Isan Dancehall 10 (Aug 2012), Paradise Bangkok 3rd Anniversary featuring Wong Dontri Molam Theppabutr, Saksiam Petchchompu and more (Feb 2012) and Paradise Bangkok with The Cambodian Space Project (Aug 2011).
What’s next: The next Isan Dancehall will be on Oct 18 at Cosmic Café with special guest the African music specialist and New York DJ Voodoo Funk.
Catch them at: www.zudrangmarecords.com

Club Soma

Who: Lady Soma (DJ Dookie) together with DJ Somarange, DJ Nosebleed and DJ/VJ Put.
Why they’re hot: Whether it’s fresh-faced indie acts or tribute nights to classic 90s Britpop, Club Soma have got you covered. And their parties are always such sweaty fun thanks to exciting new themes and ever-evolving lineups. The best news is that they’re planning to put on more live gigs in addition to their popular DJ sessions.
Highlight reel: Rebel Rebel Glamorous Indie Rock n’ Roll (Jul 2012), Yellow Submarine by Club Soma x Common Ground x Forever Delayed (Mar 2012), Summertime Party with The Drums (May, 2011).
What’s next for them: The Club Soma DJs will join the London Calling party hosted by Cheeze magazine and Dr. Martens, helping to bring British rock sounds to Sonic Ekkamai alongside bands like The Jukks and Blues’ Bar (Sep 26).
Catch them at: www.facebook.com/clubsomaparty

Chick Mountain Music Festival

What: This military-themed warm-up for the Big Mountain Music Festival at the end of the year puts the emphasis on rock music, with a line-up including The Mousses, Zeal, Pod Moderndog, Slot Machine, Palmy, Paradox, Scrubb, 25 Hours, Gan Core Club, Stamp and Lipta. However, the loudest cheers will probably be reserved for the long-awaited return of alt-rock sensation Big Ass who are back with a hot new vocalist.
When: Sep 22 (although it’s already been rescheduled three times).
Where: Khao Chon Kai Military Campus, Highway Number 3199 (Kanjanaburi-Srinakarin Dam). 034-589-237.
Tix: B990 from Thaiticketmajor.com

Big Mountain Music Festival

What: Long considered Thailand’s biggest music festival, this three-day event at Bonanza Khaoyai comprises a massive six stages (plus a couple more secret party spaces) packed with over 200 artists from all the local labels. Expect big names like Moderndog, Palmy, Bodyslam and Paradox side-by-side with rising acts like Bear-Garden, Planintemban and Abuse the Youth.
When: Dec 7-9.
Where: Bonanza Khao Yai, 236 Moo 5, Thanarat Kanongpra Rd., Nakhon Ratchasima. 044-921-113.
Tix: Prices to be announced soon, via Thaiticketmajor.com and www.bigmountainmusicfestival.com

Over Coat Music Festival

What: If Big Mountain seems a bit too rough, why not spend a winter’s day in a more heartwarming environ, with this intimate, romantic and chilled out festival. The line-up boasts the likes of Tu Phobtorn, Toe Saksit, Nat Sakdatorn, Sani and Patcha from Academy Fantasia, 123 Soul, Watcharawalee, Friday, POP, Singular, Tattoo Colour, Better Weather, Mild, Lipta, ETC and 25 Hours.
When: Dec 9.
Where: The Front By B.N. Farm, Khao Kor, Petchaboon.
Tix: B1,300 from Thaiticketmajor.com

Stone Free Music Festival

What: This niche music festival put on by The World May Never Know gang debuted last year in the idyllic surrounds of a huge disused quarry in Saraburi. Expect an innovative mix of art installations along with experimental, noise and post-rock from exciting artists from the Panda Records roster, like Stylish Nonsense, Inspirative and Desktop Error—with nothing but open fields surrounded by large cliffs and a few hundred punters for company.
When: December (Tentative)
Where: Saraburi.
Tix: TBA

Health Me Lifestyle Fitness

What: Fitness center.
Where: Viphavadi Soi 64, Bangkok, 02-973-5229.
Price: 1-year membership B10,000, 6-month B5,500, #3-month B3,000 and 1-month B1,200.

Racquet 49 Club

What: Fitness center, badminton, tennis, squash, racquet ball, futsal, rock climbing, swimming, jacuzzi, snooker, sauna and steam room, business meeting rooms.
Where: Sukhumvit 49/9, Bangkok, 02-714-7200.
Price: 1-year membership B21,400, 6-month B14,980, 3-month B9,630 and 1-month B4,280.

The LAB

What: Fitness center.
Where: 3/F, RSU Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 31, Bangkok, 02-662-1618.
Price: 10 one-hour classes with 2 free classes within 2 months B5,000, 8 one-hour classes in 1 month B3,200, 36 one-hour classes in 3-month B14,000.

True Fitness

What: Fitness center, steam and sauna rooms, boxing, dance classes, yoga, hot yoga (only at CentralWorld) and spa.
Where: 388 Sukhumvit Rd., LG-4/F Exchange Tower, Bangkok, 02-663-4999. BTS Asoke. MRT Sukhumvit
Price: 1-year contract B40,000.

“An attractive proposition let down by a cack hand.” Hugh Langley, Little White Lies

“You can see the veins standing out on the heads of Rebecca Hall and Catherine Zeta-Jones as they strive to make sense of a script that has no time for logic or consistency.” Donald Clarke, Irish Times

“I can scarcely remember a film where someone as massively-talented as the young British actress Rebecca Hall has clearly worked so hard to inject some life into proceedings and to such little avail.” Graham Young, Birmingham Mail

“The dialogue is shrill, the emotional moments are foghorned with deafening musical cues, and every scene is lit like an advert for orange juice.” Robbie Collin, Daily Telegraph

“Like a loud guest at a party who’s amusing for a while, until you just have to escape to the next room.” Todd McCarthy, Hollywood Reporter

“This is one of those comedies where, actually, nothing very funny happens.” Stella Papamichael, Digital Spy

“Those of us who still venerate Frears as a pioneer of British indie cinema in the ‘80s pine for him to have higher goals than a ditzy true-crime romp, but maybe that’s our problem rather than his.” Andrew O’Hehir, Salon.com