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.

Brandy and Snap go to Hospital!

It’s been a while since our last bloggers, Brandy and Snap got their delicate paws on the old word processor. Perhaps it might have something to do with an overload of parties over the last few weeks, and a little incident of overdoing it on the dance floor?!

The last 2 weeks have seen a megafull of parties from fashion week at Burberrys, The Hospital Club, a barmy mad Arts fair in Hackney to a rockin gig in a tiny village hall in rural Sussex. Although Brandy and Snap are on holiday this week (recuperating from their recent activities), they have promised to tell all in their blogs over the coming weeks.

1st up is Brandy and Snaps' visit to the Hospital. No, not that kind of hospital, a visit to the Hospital Club, famous members club for the creative industries, set up by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics fame 6 years ago. Livestock bloggers were invited to the Wolf and Badger Graduate Design Awards, to be entertained with a diverse and unusual selection of performances. Very Donnie Darko, the boys loved the surreal events of the night.

Friendly art director Emily takes a shine to Brandy, or is it Snap?

Livestock gets involved in many events which require friendly art directors to make up our team of professional and enthusiastic creatives.


A surreal performance of moving human grapes!… Surreal…

Unusual performance is one of Livestock's trademarks, so it’s nice to see that the boys know where to look for these kind of acts! Our database is full of unique and eclectic talent in these categories.

Some quirky design graduates at the party

Um..tiny weenie cakes on our hosts hands. Designed for instant eating!

Donnie Darko’ish freak!

Thoroughly enjoying snooping around the club to investigate the other member’s rooms. Note the rather oversized light in the Library, gave Snap a bit of a scare!

The Hospital club has many floors, including games rooms, excellent restaurant, bars, and library. It is also equipped with TV studio, recording studio, film screening room and gallery. All available for hire, or for use by the Artists in Residents Programme.

A good old British game of ‘dance ’til you drop’! Snap seems to have got a good deal here up in the eves of this contestants number!

A fine night of arty, surreal and good ol’ fashioned British games made Brandy and Snap feel really at home in the lavish furnishings of the Hospital Club.

The Hospital club is a members’ only club for people that work in the creative industries. It also runs a philanthropic department that is focused on supporting the careers of emerging creatives. At Livestock we also like to nurture our talented performers. So this year we have nominated Simon, our new aspiring multidisciplinary poet for the amazing opportunity of a residency at the Hospital club. We will be supporting him all the way.