We've been spoilt for choice for albums through March as we've been listening to the return of indie mainstayers Radiohead, Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, and The Strokes, as well as follow ups from Yellowcard and Rival Schools.  A nice selection of new bands get in there too with The Naked And Famous and The Vaccines getting album of the month acolades from the banquet staff.  Fourtet  has been responsible for three of our biggest selling 12"s this month, and there's been some great innovative new dance music around which has taken Piers, Mike and Aaron's attention.

 
Other Staff Choices:

Katie Malco:               Noah And The Whale - Last Night On Earth
Matt Hesselworth :   Ramadanman - Fabric Live
Sean Leery:                Dave Hause - Resolutions

There were some great shows through March.  from the beautiful, delicate sounds of Dry The River and Lucy Rose early in the month to the electro rock of Does It Offend You Yeah at New Slang towards the end.  The first of two Fireworks shows for us was a complete blast , Pete And The Pirates were great at New Slang, despite not showing for an instore, and Cage The Elephant didn't do anything by halves at the instore on the day of release of their new album.  However, the most fun night of the month was surely from local celtic punks The Lagan who made New Slainte just the perfect St Patrick's night out.
 

March 2011 will probably go down in history as the month of the Japan earthquake and tsunami.  A terrible situation which struck a chord with the music community as much as everyone else in the UK.  So its fitting that on the last day of the month, some great bands from the Kingston area decided to get together with New Slang and Banquet to do a little something towards the relief efforts. 



Already there is so much talk of mid-April's RECORD STORE DAY. The mega list of exclusive-to-indie-stores records is here and make sure you join the Facebook event for the day here to suss out your competition for that rare Radiohead 12", Foo Fighters LP or You Me At Six 7"!

The Banquet boys are in intense training for the annual Big Scary Monsters Music Industry 5 a side tournament. Weekly trips to Goals are ironing out the mistakes and a warm up tournament against fellow local stores (Store Wars!) should hold us in good stead. Come down and support us on 18th June!

A new addition to the team has been made with Katie joining us on Fridays, Saturdays and here and there.  Welcome her on board!

We made the shorlist of 3 finalists in Kingston People's Local Legend competition. We werent too worried about winning or competing, but it was nice to be recognised, and to be nominated before we'd even heard about the poll, was what really made us pleased.  Thanks for reading, thanks for your interest.  Seeya same time same place next month.