As some of you may or may not know my field of alleged expertise is in the acoustic field and so it is only right I let you know about the ‘acoustic’ acts rocking my socks at the moment and there is no better place to start then with dutch band Bettie Serveert. Sure they have been going for over 15 years now and they’re not strictly an acoustic band but their unplugged sets are pretty damn amazing and their cover of the Bright Eyes classic ‘Lover I Don’t Have To Love’ is as dreamy as chocolate angel delight with fresh mint on top! Currently taking a little time out after an exhaustive 2007 but keep an eye out over the coming months…

Official Website

Some would say we were mad plugging other events but it is festivals like Truck & Blissfields who carry the same ethic as ourselves… put the best bands out there without worrying about profit from piss poor lager or mobile phone networks and for that we love them! Mini rant aside, the lovely people at Blissfields have now put tickets on sale for this years event. Being held 4-6 July at the Matterley Bowl, Winchester the line up is already looking immense with The Wonderstuff, Chris TT, Abdoujaparov & Dead!Dead!Dead! already confirmed. And best bit… it is only £60 for all 3 days. Brucie bargain baby!

Head over to the official site to check it out for yourself and tell them that Offset sent you!

He is a man many of you have heard but may never have known it. The former front man of nineties fantastiband The Wonderstuff (can you believe they have been around for over 20 years?!?) is now going it alone (ish) and is producing tunes now that are as good as they ever were. Accompanied by the equally talented violinist Erica Nockalls & drummer Andres Karu, Miles has a few dates lined up across the country and we suggest you go see him pronto as this is one artist not to be missed.

28 Feb - The Green Room, Welwyn Garden City
1 Mar - Shepherds Bush Empire (supporting The Mission)
7 Mar - The Venue, Derby
8 Mar - The Boiler Room, Guildford
9 Mar - Roadhouse, Manchester
10 Mar - Cardigan Arms, Leeds

As much as we are about the new breed of bands pushing the boundaries, there is always time to look out for one of our own. Long time TMF/Offset associate Sam Duckworth aka Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly is back on the road as of tonight. Of the 12 dates he has lined up, 8 of the venues have already sold out but there are still some tickets left for the below dates:

13/02/08 Cambridge Junction
17/02/08 Aberdeen Moshulu
23/02/08 Coventry Kasbah (formerly Coliseum)
08/04/08 London Shepherds Bush Empire 14+

Be sure to see one of our fave Essex boys continue his assault on the world armed with his guitar and laptop!