The Fantastival Podcast

It gives us great pleasure to introduce a man of many talents, a winner of Pointless, a quiz master, king of Sporcle and all round amazing man, Mr Damian Evans, on this week’s Fantastival Podcast as we leave our thirties... Damo is a wealth of musical knowledge and it was so good to speak to him as we had a great catch up and talked all things music whilst Mr Evans collated his Fantasy Festival lineup. And not only that, but we have put together a Spotify Playlist with all Damian’s selected acts and some he spoke about, so once you’ve listened to the podcast check out this Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YrgrjHUPOnnGDG9H3k7Wq?si=N01SCA9WS-25CWk99LFU8g If you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

Holy cow we are up to Episode 38 and finally have the awesomeness that is Jordan Hayward on The Fantastival Podcast as he joins Steve to talk all things music and collate his Fantasy Festival by choosing 5 acts (1 playing a full studio album), venue and an encore of any song which all of her acts will perform together. This was a real fun podcast to do as we realised fairly early on that Steve knew absolutely nothing (apart from 1 act) about Jordan’s musical tastes as he shared some great stories about CD Walkmans, whose concert he got blackout drunk at not once but twice, the rudest celebrity he has met (surprising to be honest) plus lots more about Mr Hayward himself. And not only that, but we have put together a Spotify Playlist with all Jordan’s selected acts and some he spoke about, so once you’ve listened to the podcast check out this Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YrgrjHUPOnnGDG9H3k7Wq?si=N01SCA9WS-25CWk99LFU8g If you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY...❤️ It’s episode number 37 and what an experience we have for you as it’s our favourite Watford fan, SMG’s very own Managing Director, all round great guy, the wonderful Jeremy Michael is this weeks guest on The Fantastival Podcast as he joins Steve to talk all things music and collate his Fantasy Festival by choosing 5 acts (1 playing a full studio album), venue and an encore of any song which all of her acts will perform together. Jeremy shared plenty of great stories including seeing Billy Joel with his sisters, talking about the wonderful Beautiful Days Festival he goes to yearly, seeing Elton John at Vicarage Road, watching Los Wallos in Zaragoza and lots more in this really enjoyable episode that’s not to be missed... And not only that, but we have put together a Spotify Playlist with all Jeremy’s selected acts, so once you’ve listened to the podcast check out this Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5tufc7ssom3Rbp5A10QP0E?si=MPpjXj65Q1aKNo-Ol3qM6g If you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

She finally caved in and gave into the call of the Fantasival as the amazing Lesley Watson joins Steve to talk all things music whilst collating her Fantasy Festival by choosing 5 acts (1 playing a full studio album), venue and an encore of any song which all of her acts will perform together. Lesley told some amazing stories including meeting George Michael and getting his autograph (plus other superb autograph stories), seeing Bon Jovi 31 times, sneaking into the 1000th Top Of The Pops episode and meeting The Police, some incredible hmv PA stories (The Ramones one is crazy, but not as crazy as Bobby Brown), meeting Paul McCartney, collating her amazing Fantasy Festival plus lots more in only 55 minutes! And not only that, Lesley has put together a Spotify Playlist with all her selected acts, so once you’ve listened to the podcast check out her Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1kUy32C221lFR7JwAD3oLk?si=6d-GPOzcRlaAluJqCpklQg If you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

Boy oh boy... what an episode is in store for you as we have superb songwriter, excellent guitarist, leader of the superb Martin Stephenson & The Daintees, the one and only Martin Stephenson joins Steve to talk all things music whilst collating his Fantasy Festival by choosing 5 acts (1 playing a full studio album), venue and an encore of any song to close his Fantastival. Martin spoke about his musical career, learning the guitar with his table tennis teacher, being in awe of Roddy Frame, the awe of London, new acts he’s listening to, hanging out with Billy Connolly, playing festivals and so much more in one of the most fun episodes yet... And once you’ve listened to the podcast don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist that we’ve put together on Spotify featuring Martin’s choice of acts for his Fantasy Festival: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4bmniY2wsbWfo15JMvONTc?si=NA3wjZfbSb-gaTkOUbG2UA And if you like what Martin had to say and have never had the pleasure of listening to his music then head over to his Bandcamp site and pick up some wonderful albums and EP’s from the man himself: https://daintees.bandcamp.com If you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

What a guest we have for you on the 34th episode of the Fantastival as Steve is joined all way from Sri Lanka by Cricketing legend, ace songwriter and musician... Mr Mark Butcher. We had a great chat as Mark told Steve all about his musical tastes and experiences, being a songwriter and performing, how lockdown has been, cricket talk plus lots more. Mark mentioned many many great acts during this podcast, but just who has made it into his Fantasy Festival, but what could he possibly call it and where could it be staged? There is only one way to find out, so get listening and enjoy the podcast... And once you’ve listened to the podcast don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist that we’ve put together featuring on Spotify featuring Mark’s choice of acts for his Fantasy Festival: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50lmrUkaRlTPPfYBrgExY5?si=f4lbQ3pGREahkcTn2SIkZw And if you’ve enjoyed the Fantastival Podcast please give us a follow on Twitter @FantastivalP and remember to check for our new episodes which are released every Sunday at 9am. Spread the word... and the word is Fantastival!

HEY YOU GUYS! The Fantastival Podcast is back for 2021 with our 33rd episode as we are joined by one of Steve’s hmv colleagues, Tik Tok sensation @Gooniedad, the Goonietastic... Mr Paul Johnston-Naylor. We chatted for the first time in 2 years as Paul told Steve all about him musical tastes and experiences as we had a great chat about all things music, times at hmv Oxford Street, The Goonies, Tik Tok and lots more. If you know PJN you’ll know how enjoyable this will be and you’ll love listening to him talking away and collating his Fantasy Festival, but who will he choose? There is only one way to find out, so get listening and enjoy the podcast... And once you’ve listened to the podcast don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify featuring all of our 2021 guests acts so far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3JgdxgMXjiAdETKF6npeWJ?si=JPqwLXXWSK2vgOaHJ0SMUg

IT’S CHHRRRIISSSSSTTMMMAAAAASSSS! It’s our 32nd episode and the last one in 2020 as we are joined by not just an hmv legend, but an absolute legend of a person, an inspiration to Steve and countless others, the one & only... Mr Neil Taylor. We caught up as Neil collated his Fantasy Festival with a very credible lineup, great acts, superb stories and many wonderful recollections including stories about Weller, Ozzy, Stereophonics. Live Aid, how Now Thats What I Call Music Volume 2 changed his life, plus many more. If you know NT you’ll know how enjoyable this will be and you’ll love listening to him collate his Fantasy Festival in which he gets a bonus Encore for Christmas, but who will he choose? There is only one way to find out, so get listening and enjoy the podcast... Neil has also collated a Spotify Playlist for further listening with tracks from his 5 acts and a few bonus tracks which is well worth a listen: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3e2iqPT3ywt37RNPLk3sut?si=fe_JpPXgTB-Ux4eRSzzEKw And once you’ve listened to that don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify featuring all of our previous guests acts (and Neil’s) so far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vNrOCxztQNCANtDoXzCNK?si=34dwW0WBQXOp3PpS250PHA Merry Christmas y’all x

For our 31st Episode we caught up with one of the nicest people on the planet as the master of The Eastwood Shuffle, the brilliant Ben Eastwood joined Steve to collate his Fantasy Festival with a stunning and surprising lineup as we talked all things music with gigs, fantastic stories (crowd surfing included) plus many more wonderful recollections. Does Ben break out into song in the podcast? Did Ben really crowd surf? Will Ben’s beloved Pearl Jam make it into his Fantasy Festival? There is only one way to find out, so get listening... and don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify featuring all 31 guests acts (and Ben’s) so far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vNrOCxztQNCANtDoXzCNK?si=34dwW0WBQXOp3PpS250PHA

We turn 30 in this episode and what a way to do it as we are joined by Steve’s ex hmv head office colleague, the rugby playing, returns master, record spinner himself, the one and only Jonathan Baker-Lacey. Listen as Jon tells us all about his musical tastes, favourite live experiences and collates his Fantasy Festival by choosing 5 acts, but who will he choose? Jon also shared some great stories that are well worth tuning in for... Why were 5pm on Fridays so important? What song did Jon sing to warm up the expectant karaoke evening at an hmv event? What act was John merely 7ft away from on stage long before camera phones were invented in an event in which today’s world would break the internet? There is only one way to find out, so get listening... and don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify featuring all 30 guests acts (and Jon’s) so far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vNrOCxztQNCANtDoXzCNK?si=34dwW0WBQXOp3PpS250PHA

Sit back and enjoy as we have the ‘big haired, coffee loving, sax playing, dance machine, unicorn hybrid, 80’s chick, the human equivalent of sunshine’... Sharon Jones joining us on the 29th episode of The Fantastival Podcast. You’ll be smiling as Sharon collates her Fantasy Festival with a superb lineup including lots of guest spots, as we also talked about all things music as Sharon looked back on her favourite gigs, musical tastes and told us some amazing stories featuring Megadeth, Kenny Loggins, Linkin Park (incredible story), Wedstock, Hard Rock Hell, Neil Buchanan (yes, really), Cher from Vixen, Sebastian Bach, plus many more wonderful recollections. Don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vNrOCxztQNCANtDoXzCNK?si=34dwW0WBQXOp3PpS250PHA

She resisted the call for far too long but eventually we got the brilliant Maureen Stevens to join Steve on The Fantastival Podcast to talk all things music and to collate her Fantasy Festival... Maureen gives us a great insight into her musical tastes as she tells us all about her first music buying experience (with a very credible album), her favourite ever gig (no complaints here), an awesome story of being locked in a music store waiting for an artist to perform at a PA, acts who didn’t make her Fantasy Festival lineup whilst also collating her superb Fantastival with awesome acts including an emotional encore, plus lots more in this very enjoyable episode. Don’t forget to check out The Fantastival Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vNrOCxztQNCANtDoXzCNK?si=34dwW0WBQXOp3PpS250PHA

GRANTY CALLING... One of the most awesome people in the whole world joins Steve on The Fantastival Podcast this week as everyone’s favourite Norwich City fan, hmv legend, tea loving, space guru. the one and only, Mr Mike Grant gets to collate his Fantasy Festival recorded in the room of dreams, The Kate Bush Room. Mike talks all about his love of music, some incredible gig & festival experiences, first records bought, the influence of some of the acts and lots more whilst collating a Fantastival we would all love to see, plus we have a bonus story of when Mike met a Kaiser Chief! Listen, enjoy and spread the word... FANTASTIVAL!

It’s time to welcome one of our favourite Australians onto The Fantastival Podcast, the curly haired legend, the one and only, Mr Leigh Clancy... Leigh not only collates a wonderfully titled Fantasy Festival, but also tells us about his first records bought, festival & gig experiences (of which there are many and several festival lineups he’s been at could be Fantastivals themselves) and his musical tastes all whilst catching up with Steve and recalling some great memories. And the legend himself has beat us to it and collates his acts into an absolutely awesome Spotify Playlist for you to check out: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/61Q1vFZWELJ6adPnA4O1rb?si=Q6UgyLEQQbKDihrbe5XRRw

As we reach our quarter of a century we are joined by the Queen of Distribution Jo Topping who chats Steve to collate her superb Fantasy Festival... Jo tells us all about what she has been listening to, her favourite festival and gig experiences, her first single and record purchases, her favourite acts, a chance meeting with Steve Lamacq all whilst putting together a wonderful Fantastival lineup and encore in this episode not to be missed.

The awesome @paullistensto Paul Hammond joined Steve in hmv Head Office to collate his Fantasy Festival as we caught up for the first time in 2 years to talk music, music, music aswell as live experiences, hmv & lots more...

The voice of Orient and legend that is Dave Victor is up next on The Fantastival Podcast as he collates his Fantasy Festival and shares some wonderful stories as he creates a lineup straight out of the capital including a first time for comperes to come and introduce acts and lots of guests to join them. The school podcast “Radio Zoinks” that Dave mentions in the episode is available at Greenside School website (www.greenside.herts.sch.uk).

The wonderful Chris Cain is up next on The Fantastival Podcast as he joined me face to face (socially distanced of course) to collate his Fantasy Festival, talk music, gigs, experiences and lots more in this very enjoyable episode!

The Fantastival Podcast turns 21 as Paul Stevens joins us to collate his Fantasy Festival as our favourite Newcastle supporter also talks all things music, his tastes, gig experiences, his time at hmv (including some great stories about Elton John & Meatloaf) and lots more as this is definitely a Fantastival that is all shine, all shine.

For the 20th episode of The Fantastival Podcast Steve is joined by ex Leyton Orient player and the man who is full of surprises Mr Glen Wilkie... Glen collates his Fantastival by choosing his 5 acts, album and encore whilst leaving Steve speechless several times as he reveals he went on tour with one of the worlds biggest bands, has played football with some of Britpops biggest stars and had bizarre backstage chats with many a music legend. This is also notable for being the first episode where we had to record an extra piece after the original recording as Glen forgot to mention a story that couldn’t be left unheard!

Pete Ollerenshaw is our guest on the 19th episode of The Fantastival Podcast as he joins Steve to collate his Fantasy Festival lineup... We also talk about Pete’s musical tastes and experiences and with someone who has worked for hmv for over 25 years and worked in the music industry previously Pete has many great acts to talk about and stories to share.

The 18th episode of The Fantastival Podcast sees Rob Benton come and collate his Fantasy Festival as he picks his 5 act, 1 album and encore. Listen as Rob shares his superb musical passion and knowledge as he talks us through his acts, musical tastes and some awesome live experiences.

After a week away the Fantastival Podcast returns with a bang and the longest episode to date as we invite Paul Monaghan from the awesome Maximum Power Up Podcast to collate his Fantasy Festival with Steve. Listen up as Paul talks us through his musical tastes and experiences as he chooses his 5 acts, album and encore and does a first on the Fantastival Podcast with his pre-headline act!

It’s our sweet sixteenth episode and who better to join us than this weeks guest Steve Foster (DJ Fozzie) who is not only the mighty Leyton Orient’s Chief Scout but also does the odd bit of DJ’ing soul nights in the Essex area... Have a listen as Steve collates his DILLIGAF Fantasy Festival at Clacton Pier and takes us through his musical tastes and experiences in this superb podcast!

After 3 international podcasts its time to bring it back to the UK and there’s no finer guest to do this with than Mr Ady Shaw, a good work friend of Steve at the mighty hmv... Ady gets to collate his Fantastival at the venue of his choice (we love his choice) at his superbly titled North Of England, South Of Heaven as we also talk about Ady’s musical experiences & tastes in a podcast not to be missed!

All the way from New York... It’s time for Steve’s old friend from Gearies Infants & Junior School, not to mention the fantastic drummer of the superb Augustines, Rob Allen to collate his Fantastival by choosing his 5 acts, venue, full album and an encore, whilst telling us about his musical tastes and experiences as he also let’s us in on a few fantastic stories that you do not want to miss!

It’s time for the godfather of Americana, frontman of Jason & The Scorchers, Farmer Jason himself, the one & only Jason Ringenberg to collate his Fantasy Festival & talk to Steve about his musical experiences, tastes & lots more in this enjoyable podcast! Jason has a unique take on his Fantastival and you’ll have to work on the Ringenberg Family Farm for a ticket, and Jason also makes Fantastival history by naming the same artist twice in his 5 acts...

The Fantastival Podcast goes fully international as Joel Rogers is our guest on this 12th episode all the way from Australia... Listen as Joel collates his Fantastival in this Interactive Podcast as a question to Steve dictates the line up for his Does Your Father Know You’re Here Fantastival to bring peace to the world...

Steve’s first real gig buddy, wearer of the iconic gig jumper, the lead to Steve’s rhythm in the early days of learning the guitar and awesome bassist of the now defunct The Flow Mr Dan Stone is the guest on the 11th episode of The Fantastival Podcast...Let Dan take you away as we are heading to Iceland for Dan’s Fantastival filled with groove, funk, rock, indie, electronica and lots more in this totally enjoyable episode not to be missed!

Steve’s good friend, 3rd Outlooker & Leyton Orient Head Coach Ross Embleton is the guest on the 10th episode of The Fantastival Podcast as Ross collates his Fantasy Festival with Steve telling us all about his musical tastes, experiences and a famous song that he is sure mentions his Grandpa Terry!

Frontman of the excellent Essex Covers Band Two Bob Short and Steve’s good friend Mr Richard Strockl joins us this week as he collates his Fantasy Festival (his Fantastival - StrockFest in Austria) as he shares his musical experiences with us as he chooses his 5 acts, album and encore in a Fantastival not to be forgotten.

Steve is joined by the legend and 1/3 of the gigging Nussbaum / Myers / Myers tripod Robb Myers as Robb collates his ‘Rock Heritage’ Fantastival.  Along with Robb's acts, album and encore we also hear some great stories from Robb on his musical experiences in a Fantastival not to be missed.  Please note there is a sound delay with Steve in this episode which sometimes makes it sound like Steve is overtalking Robb (which he would never do). 

The 7th episode of The Fantastival Podcast is here as Steve’s good friend Marc Nicholson guests as we collate his Fantastival with many amazing stories as it’s time for the ‘Take Back Ibiza’ Fantastival.  If you like Marc’s selections check out his Fantastival Spotify Playlist:  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/75ZkeryOZx1BYyc29FsUlN?si=akh6w8B8Sxyx8I0Qp04D1A  As we spoke about tinnitus here are a few useful links:  https://actiononhearingloss.org.uk  https://www.tinnitus.org.uk PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PODCAST CONTAINS EXPLICIT LANGAUAGE.

In the 6th episode of The Fantastival Podcast Desert Dusk frontman and Ultimate Power legend David Drew joins Steve to collate his Scoff Fest Fantastival at The Standard in Walthamstow as he takes us on a most righteous journey with some awesome acts, a huge encore to be remembered and lots more.

Andy Gilson is up next to collate his Fantastival as he talks to Steve about his taste in music as he takes us through his 5 acts with many amusing stories and a great knowledge of music.

It’s a workmate up next for Steve as Charlotte Lawrance from hmv HQ joins the Fantastival Podcast to collate her Fantasy Festival as she is taking us off to Sweden for her Summer Pop Rocksical.

In the 3rd episode of the Fantastival Podcast Steve talks to his his good friend and gig buddy Andrew Myers who collates his We Were Fantastival as he brings the fun over to Upminster.

Neil Slotnick AKA Niccolo Machiavelli joins Steve to collate his Fantastival as he bombards Steve with musical facts galore and unreal recommendations in this most enjoyable podcast as he brings The Equinox Fantastival to the Duga Radar in Chernobyl.

Paul Levy is the first ever guest on the Fantastival Podcast as he joins Steve to collate his Fantastival in this brand new adventure as he brings his Rockin’ The Trance Fantastival to Hyde Park.