PopArt began back in December 2005 with an all day event. At the time, the indie scene seemed very compartmentalised... there were indiepop nights for the twee kids, post rock nights for ATP types and indie disco / electro nights for the debutantes but seemingly nothing that really focused on the "the tune" rather than "the genre". And thus, ScoobyDom and PhoeniX PhiL drunkenly plotted and created PopArt: a self styled fanzine presented via the medium of club night. DJ sets that would be less about self-indulgent mixing and more akin to a Jukebox spitting out a flurry of glorious sonic gems. Then along the way due to the natural expansion of the PopArt dream they recruited good natured, soul music-loving, Britpop war veteran Tamla Tim into the union... a bit like when the Ghostbusters recruited Winston. Or something. Our next step was to secure the services of "the Quill" - an almost mythical master of the arts & crafts which resulted in a steady stream of acclaimed fliers and badges.

Since then, PopArt has gone from strength to strength and promoted successful and acclaimed events such as last summer's three day mini-festival "PopArt Weekender", and two events that have now become yearly institutions: "Bowl & Sebastian" (an event held at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes with all the bands playing a B&S song as part of their set) & Brit-PopArt (an annual Easter time celebration of the Brit-Pop and 90's alternative music). PopArt finished 2007 with a "New Years Eve Party" at the Lark in The Park that not only was a sell out success but also carried on long after the competition had gone to bed.

Among the acts that have played these events are indie legends such as Monica Queen, David Devant & His Spirit Wife, Jimbob and Idou (both halves of Carter USM) and new underground heroes such as Saturday Looks Good To Me, MJ Hibbett, Lucky Soul, And What Will Be Left Of Them?, The Laurel Collective, The School, The Indelicates and Pocketbooks.

PopArt events have received positive notices from the press, making Time Out's "Critic's Choice" and the Guardian Guide's "Pick Of The Week" on several occasions, as well as receiving great reviews from Maps Magazine, Flavourpill and in Ian Watson's Indie Travel Guide.

But the PopArt experience is more than just music, the ever present MC is "Leicester's Funny Man", Dave "The Bullet" Rees; always on hand to provide comedy fun between bands sets with such legendary "gameshows" such as "Indie Win, Lose or Draw" and the often near the knuckle fun of "Indie Bingo", as well as discussion based shows such as the end of year "Rees Review" or the football flavoured "Off Side... with Dave Rees". Members of the bands playing are often press-ganged into taking part, leading to incidents such as the slightly surreal but ultimately magnificent moment where Fruitbat, Chris Chinchilla and Mr. Solo were all part of the "Indie Win, Lose or Draw: Xmas Special".

In 2007 PopArt Records launched, releasing a fast-selling limited edition split 7 inch single from And What Will Be Left Of Them? and Brontosaurus Chorus and finishing the year with the "Covered At Christmas" charity compilation album that featured artists who have played PopArt events covering each other's music.

That however was then and this is now and in 2008 PopArt hope not only to match the achievements of last year but to exceed them. We have already had a successful night hosting a room for "Button Down Disco" in January and have just enjoyed a very successful second annual "Brit-PopArt" on the Battersea Barge. PopArt are soon to start a monthly night every second Saturday downstairs at The Fly that should see yet more tambourines on the dance floor and hangovers in the morning. But as ever, that's the price you pay for an evening of Jukebox rock, indiepop, punk, soul, glam, camp hip hop and blistering guitarmegeddon.

Keep A Little PopArt In Your Heart.

xxx