Brandy and Snap go barmy with the Correspondents in Bethnal Green

Brandy and Snap were both thoroughly excited to have the opportunity to explore the creative links between what we understand as diagnosed madness with myth of the “mad artist” at Barmy (no pun intended) Park Festival. In their profession, B and S have often privately spoken to me about their fear of going mad in a world they feel is surrounded by complete madness! I mean talking, dancing gingerbread men? Genius or completely insane!

Livestock is very familiar with the tortured genius. We work with many of them!

Brandy in a sea of breasts? Um.. does wonders for childhood traumas!?

Being invited by old friend Imogen O’Rorke, curator of the show, both Snap and Brandy gained some valuable insight into the often prejudiced world of mental health.

The festival featured a mix of artists, some with mental issues, some not. However the event aimed at promoting artists with mental health difficulties and featured poetry readings from mental health charity, Core Arts. Special guests of the evening were my favourite summer festival band, the Correspondents.

Revealed… the breasts are floating in a silver cross pram. Brandy is getting comfy. Title of piece before Brandy got on board - 'Untitled', Elizabeth Manchester



Snap is unsure about the Klan, but felt the urge to see what the experience of standing next to such a vast object might feel like for him? It would surely trigger his size complex at the very least! Title of piece before Snap took centre stage - 'Hide' by Dermot O'Brien

An unusual experience in the men’s toilets, led Snap to explore what it means to be in a wheelchair next to a face with no torso. Title of piece before Snap went to investigate - 'Asylum Inmate' by Elizabeth Manchester.

Brandy looking very dapper in Mr Bruces’ (Correspondents) top pocket. They make a fine pair!

Added to the intriguing art sculptures and installations, the boys got their dancing feet in action with a superb treat of gallivanting around the dance floor to the splendid music of the Correspondents. Not only is Mr Bruce a snappy dresser, his stealthy footwork gave Brandy and Snap a run for their money. They told me: ” Wow Mr Bruce is a fast and furious dancer that can wake up anyone’s appetite for outrageous footwork! We thought we would both have heart attacks by merely watching him move!”



Mr Bruce form the Correspondents had us all dripping with sweat.

Fancy footwork and leg wear Mr Bruce – from the Correspondents.

The Correspondents are made up of band members Mr Bruce and Mr Chuckles who have collaborated to revamp vintage sounds for the modern ear. Resuscitating sampled relics with squelchy synths over dusty drum loops they’ve depicted the trials and errors of Love, Lust and Loss over foot-tapping toe curling "get your brogues on" dance floor Electro Swing.

At Livestock we like to work with bands of a individual style like the Correspondents, tailoring it always to our clients needs. Equally we have a diverse selection of bands ranging from supplying the best tribute bands EVER to more specialist musicians/bands.



New friends. Eden, detective, taxidermist and Land Lord of infamous members bar, the Fox and Cutless.

Barmy park was a 14 day festival of art, poetry, performance, dance, music and madness at the Bethnal Green Library, which interestingly enough stands on the site of what was a notorious private madhouse for 200 years! An innovative micro festival, it surely made waves in raising awareness of mental health illness in our society today.

Livestock is always interested in an arts event, especially when there is a more altruistic focus.

Disclaimer – Our photo captions of the art depicted at the Barmy Park festival are purely our interpretation with the addition of Brandy and Snap in the final piece. We have detailed the original title after our captions. We in no way wish to offend any of the artists or belittle their work with our interpretations.