The 10th London International Tattoo Convention, the greatest, most respected and prestigious body art convention in the world, is to be held on 26th, 27th and 28th September 2014 at Tobacco Dock, 50 Porters Walk, London E1W 2SF.
When The London Tattoo Convention was established a decade ago, it was estimated that one in eight of all British adults had been inked. In 2010 it was guesstimated that a fifth of all adults had got at least one tattoo, and now it is estimated that at least a third of all British adults have gone under the needle. It comes as no surprise, therefore, to hear that attendance figures have risen from 3,500 at original venue The Old Truman Brewery ten years ago, to well over 20,000 at the vast, picturesque setting of Tobacco Dock last year.
Each year, the global Tattoo Life Publication organizers have strived to outdo the previous events tumultuous success, and 2014s extravaganza promises the richest smorgasbord of essential live musical acts, spectacular alternative entertainers and inspirational exhibitions ever.
Tattoo Life Publisher Miki Vialetto and tattoo artist Claudia De Sabe have teamed up with Somerset House to present TIME, Tattoo Art Today , at Embankment Galleries West, Somerset House London. Already open to the public with Free Admission, TIME, Tattoo Art Today', is a collective show with original artworks from 70 of the world's most iconic and influential tattoo artists, including Ed Hardy, Horiyoshi III, Filip Leu, Paul Booth and Mr Cartoon. Each tattoo artist has been commissioned to create a completely new work for the exhibition on the theme of TIME, working with any medium and on any canvas, apart from their usual surface of skin. The resulting collection ranges from oil painting, watercolours and traditional Japanese silk painting to paint layering on real skulls, airbrush and bronze sculpture.
Miki Vialetto states that Over the past twenty years there have been many exhibitions which have observed tattooing from historical, sociological and anthropological standpoints. There have also been solo shows of tattoo artists who, in some cases, have had the privilege to exhibit their work in locations just as prestigious as Somerset House. But what is unprecedented about this exhibition is that it was organised to bring together 70 people who have created and represent the significant and momentous change in tattooing, in such an important and internationally famous centre as Somerset House.
See highlights of 2013!
The Main Stage:
Amazing world class acts and alternative performances, from burlesque to sword swallowing, striptease and trapeze, are set to enthrall on the Main Stage:-
The Fuel Girls - the original and best fire breathing, tattooed acrobatic dance troupe in the world, will return to star as the resident performers on the main stage at various times all weekend with a brand new show, specially designed for the London Tattoo Convention. Their shows have developed over the years and the Fuel Girls have grown from young, rebellious party girls, into skilled, dynamic and incredibly talented performers. This unstoppable dangerous, wild and playful mayhem machine will take to the air in hoops and on silks, breathe fire balls into the sky, dance with swords of fire, woo you with their tribal belly dancing and amaze you with their acrobatic pole skills. Their shows have taken them across the world in previous years, from the Playboy Mansion in LA to the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. They have toured Europe with Motorhead, performed in arenas of 80,000 at the biggest FMX sporting events and had their own series on Playboy TV, following their antics around the world. The Fuel Girls, whose shows are always entertaining, dangerous, sexy, unconventional and fun, cant wait to rock the roof off Tobacco Dock again.
www.fuelgirls.co.uk or www.facebook.com/TheFuelGirls
The Voodoo Crypt Stage:
The Voodoo Crypt Stage will once again feature compere / host Vince Ray, (also an artist renowned for his unique record covers, T-shirts and tattoo designs) and his band The Bone Shakers, who will play multiple sets all over the weekend. The Boneshakers, a classic rockabilly/punk trio with guitar, double bass and drums, who sound Like Eddie Cochran colliding with Motorhead, are an unmissable, truly organic rock beast, whose songs are the sonic equivalent of Vinces artworkall about foxy femme fatales, hell-bent hot rods and ghoulish grave-robbing greasers. Vince has shared bills with artists such as The Meteors, Demented Are Go, The Kings Of Nuthin and The Damned. He has toured Europe extensively with the likes of The Stray Cats and the Reverend Horton Heat and recorded two albums with The Boneshakers, whose live appearances are a visual feast, with hand painted instruments, giant backdrops and tattoos everywhere. www.vinceray.com
King Kurt the absolutely bonkers psychobilly prankster rockers who stormed the UK singles charts in the early-mid 1980s with hits like Destination Zululand, Mac The Knife and Banana Banana are set to headline the Voodoo Crypt stage on Friday. King Kurt built up a massive, frenzied following at their riotous gigs, famously strewn with all sorts of muck - thrown both at and from the audience - whilst also offering haircuts and drinking competitions! Musically a bizarre mix of roots rock-a-billy, funk, African rhythms and pop infused with their own unique humour, King Kurt, who released two full length albums (Ooh Wallah Wallah on Stiff Records in 1983 and Big Cock on Polydor in 1986), are at their blistering, mystifying, absolute best, live on stage; definitely a set not to be missed! www.kingkurt.com
Hells Bells - the renowned top AC/DC tribute rockers, are set to rock the roof off of the Voodoo Crypt stage when they play their headline set on Saturday night. Hells Bells, who always bring the house down, have performed all over the UK as well as Portugal, Austria, Russia, Belgium, Czech Republic and the Middle East. Established for 15 years, they are the UK's finest and most entertaining tribute to the great AC/DC. The band more than impressed keyboard player Don Airey (Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, Deep Purple etc), who stated Never go on after Hells Bells Theyre LETHAL after he caught their high energy performance recently.
www.hellsbells.info
Broken Chords, a Hammond-infused British classic rock act who reference the sounds of Led Zeppelin and Cream while also displaying a contemporary punkish attitude, will also star on the Voodoo Crypt stage. Broken Chords are three 22 year olds from Essex / Hertfordshire with a level of musicianship and songwriting which has already seen them featured on Kerrang! TV, BBC Radio and touted by key tastemakers Gary Crowley and Aaron Philips on Amazing Radio. The band were also recently voted one of the best new top 10 rock acts in the UK by Classic Rock magazine. Check out the video for their debut single, Get Some, featuring Cervena Fox and Shelly DInferno, at More info at:-www.thebrokenchords.com
Rattleshack - Formed in the early part of 2011 Rattleshack are set to wow the Voodoo Crypt with their own particular style of Foot Stompin, Hillbilly Hollerin, dirty country music originals. Their debut, self-titled album was released on April fools day 2013, which gives a clue that this band dont take themselves too seriously and just want an audience to have a damn good time. The UK Subs Paul Slack enthuses; Foot stomping hillbilly music right up to date with a healthy slab of punk attitude to well crafted songs of life and death." www.rattleshack.com
Rosco Levee & The Southern Slide, a dynamic new 5 piece classic hard rock & roll band with blues, soul & country influences, who play with a whole lot of style and attitude, will also grace the Voodoo Crypt stage. Rosco leads this tight band from the front, drawing comparisons with Eric Clapton and Paul Kossoff, with a stage presence reminiscent of Steve Marriott. The pumping Southern Slide pulls the audience in close, boiling over like a melting-pot with flavours of London and the Mississippi. Formed in 2011, the band released their debut album Final Approach to Home to massive critical acclaim in 2012; Roscos song Goldrush from this album was nominated for best original song in the British Blues Awards 2013. Their second album, Get it While You Can, released in January 2014, was awarded 9/10 by Classic Rock Magazine, who raved pretty brilliant.these 11 songs scream of a songwriter who knows his set texts and how to twist them into new shapesobey that album title to the letter. www.roscolevee.com
Spiderbites, who formed in summer 2013 whilst touring America as Adam Ants band, when they discovered they all had a love of outrageous early 80s hair metal bands, are all set to rock the Voodoo Crypt stage. Their debut album, chock full of slamming drums, shredding guitars and soaring vocals, was written on the road in the USA and subsequently recorded upon their return to the UK. With a wealth of touring experience under their studded belts, Spiderbites have enough ammunition to blow roofs off venues the world over. A baby with big hair is born, and its gonna scream and screamwww.facebook.com/spiderbitesband
Sicknote Steve:- Hobo bluesman Sicknote Steve, who covers select songs of Grammy Award winning Seasick Steve, alongside some of the great blues classics, has also been confirmed to play on the Voodoo Crypt stage. Initially a drummer and sometime bass player in various rock bands, over the years he developed his all-round experience playing guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, whistle and more. After Steve survived a serious motorcycle accident in 2008, which got me pondering about the possible effect of losing my left hand and unable to play the frets he decided to learn to play slide guitar. Seasick Steve was my guide; I spent four months of recovery time learning his songs. Steve played some open mike nights in Cardiff; To my surprise people, especially youngsters, loved my interpretations of the great Seasick. Adding more of Seasick Steves songs to his repertoire, he became known as Sicknote Steve, and is now a regular highlight at blues and acoustic festivals around the country, including the Upton Blues Festival, Tenby Blues Festival, and the Brecon Blues Festival. www.sicknotesteve.co.uk
Guests and Perfromers:
A huge hit at 2013 convention, Elegy Ellem, the sexy model and top Burlesque performer with an hourglass figure, will fly in once again from her native Sweden for the whole weekend to star on the main stage. Elegy Ellem, who varies her extraordinary performances from cute pin-up style with a twist to pure erotic fetish acts, is creating a whole new show especially for this years LTC. You never know what to expect when this sexy, seductive creature steps on stage; she loves to experiment with styles and always brings something unique. www.elegyellem.se
Cervena Fox, the sensational international alt/fetish model and burlesque performer, known for her trademark fiery red hair and friendly yet professional personality, will unveil a brand new stage show, featuring a Queen of the Damned inspired strip-tease, infused with gore and aggression, along with fantastic Merchandise for 2014. www.whosthatfox.com
The Nerdy Stripper, another massive hit at last years extravaganza, the Nerdy Stripper will be back to thrill the audience with her unique, breath taking, raunchy nerdgasm spectacle. After years of pushing the boundaries and challenging the rules about tattoos in clubs since she made her stage debut in Toronto in 2008, she has become known as the Most Heavily tattooed stripper in Toronto. Peeling off her nerdy costumes, she unveils tattoos of Yoda, Iron Man, The Hulk and Wonder Woman, tattooed by such famous artists as Chris Lowe; you'll never know what she'll pull out of her latex Darth Vader sleeve! http://thenerdystripper.tumblr.com
Janet Fischietto, the seductive Italian 30s Circus Burlesque performer whose stage character embodies the tattooed lady of the circus, will shimmer on the main stage all 3 days of the convention. Each and every detail of her outfits, choice of tattoo subjects, music and attitude reflect the multicoloured, dreamy 30s Circus Burlesque style.www.janetfischietto.com
Sabina Kelley an elegant and sensual statuesque platinum blonde pin-up girl with singular grace and style, has been chosen to star as fairy godmother of this years convention. A hugely successful international star burlesque artist, originally from Las Vegas, she has featured on numerous TV shows and music videos, and her calendars have acquired massive cult status and not just for lovers of tattoo art. sabinakelley.com
The Pinup Stage
The Pinup Stage will host the finals of the second Miss Pinup UK and Miss Pinup International competitions, aimed at all women who embody timeless glamour and Pinup appeal, celebrating beauty of all ages, sizes and colours, at the Convention. Judging the competitions will be International Pinup model and makeup artist October DiVine from The Pinup Academy, renowned Pinup photographer Terry Mendoza of Retro PhotoStudio, International Pinup model Sini Ariell Tarkkinen, and the reigning Miss Pinup UK, the winner of last years competition, Miss Scarlett Luxe.
Anna Fur Laxis, voted No. 5 in the world in the Burlesque Top 50, will be performing three times a day on the Pinup Stage with a selection of her favourite acts. After winning 1st Runner Up Award in both the 2011 Milan Burlesque Awards and "Miss Exotic World" at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas, the industry's highest regarded awards ceremony, Anna has performed Burlesque across the globe in locations including the UK, Los Angeles, Paris, Rome, Zurich, Brussels, Tokyo, Barcelona, Helsinki, Milan, Chicago, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco, Melbourne & Sydney. www.annafurlaxis.com
Internationally published Tattoo Model and Tattoo Magazine cover girl Lusy Logan will have her own booth at the convention, the first time she has had a booth at any convention. Lusy will be selling signed prints and polaroids, t-shirts, jewellery and tattoo flash, courtesy of her Tattoo Artist brother Joel P Blake who will also be joining her over the weekend. www.lusylogan.tumblr.com
Ellis Cooper the gorgeous London based Lingerie/glamour model, will be introducing her 2015 calendar and merchandise exclusively at the 10th International London Tattoo Convention. From Playboy to Bizarre magazine she checks everyones boxes; a definite hot spot and must meet this year. www.ellis-cooper.com
Kristen Leanne the internationally published model from sunny California will be selling copies of her 2015 calendar, plus will have some of her top selling prints available, along with t-shirts and other great memorabilia. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet Kristen Leanne, grab a signed print/2015 calendar and snap a photo with her! www.iheartkristenleanne.com
The Graffiti Life collective, a group of the UK's most well-known and respected street multi-disciplined fine artists, graffiti writers and urban visionaries, will be back again this year, creating new works during the 10th London Tattoo Convention. Graffiti Life have originated huge commercial graffiti projects for the likes of Adidas, Disney XD, FA Cup ITV, Kurt Geiger, Nike and many more. Drop by their wall as it evolves over the weekend, and pick up some tips, pointers or answers to any questions you may have about the graffiti art form. www.graffitilife.co.uk
The second annual Inked Up World Tour, presented by Rockstar Energy Drink and Sullen Art Collective, will make a tour stop at the convention, featuring a new roster of select top tattoo artists from around the world, as well as the Miss Inked Up Model Competition Convention. www.inkedupworldtour.com
The Bristol Tattoo Club Exhibition will display an amazing museum collection of artefacts dating back to the 1870s. The Bristol Tattoo Club was formed by Les Skuse in 1953 to bring together artists as well as tattoo fans to promote the good in tattooing and move the press away from printing negative views. Les was the first in the world to hold international conventions and artists came from far and wide to Bristol Al Schilfly, Huck Spaulding, Milton Zeis, Tattoo Peter, Albert Cornelous, Ron Ackers, Jimmy Thompson and many more. After Les death in 1973, his son Danny Skuse took over as President and ran the club low-key until 2009, when Jimmie Skuse, who has taken the club to its highest ever level and has also improved the tattoo museum, took over as president. www.bristoltattooclub.co.uk
The Art of Chris Guest Chris Guest began painting and drawing from a very young age, and first started making money from art aged just 14, drawing portraits of music icons for other pupils. At the age of 18, Chris began showing his work in galleries in Cornwall, and has since exhibited extensively throughout the UK. For the last few years, my work has focused on painting heavily tattooed people, mainly from the London rock scene, to create paintings with a dirty rock n roll feel. I use very traditional techniques perhaps more akin to 18th century paintings, and source beautifully elaborate and highly decorative frames from English stately homes that are sometimes hundreds of years old. Using this traditional style of painting and method of display, coupled with such a contemporary subject matter of young characters from the London rock scene, I find this creates an interesting contradiction in my work. www.chrisguest.co.uk
The Artist Kevin Ash will be releasing a book dedicated to Custom Culture and he will be exhibiting original pieces from his book at the convention. Kevins art captures the dreams and realities of custom motor vehicles, tattoos and rock & blues music culture using a variety of different media and styles; I love Motorcycles and Hotrods and have great friends within these cultures even though I dont ride myself. I feel the People, the Music, Custom Cars, Motorcycles and Tattoos are all iconic symbols of freedom and rebellion and this is my main source of inspiration whether it is paintings, pencil drawings or fashion art & design. www.theartofkevinash.com
A wide range of food and drink - catering for all tastes - will be available on site from Henrys Bar and Restaurant on the ground floor, to the lower ground floor Food Court, and the mobile Taco Truck, whose specially chosen taco recipes have been sourced and inspired directly from local markets in central and southern Mexico.
The Jamaica Inn will offer a hugely varied and interesting selection of fine Real Ales and tasty Ciders, as well as hosting a dedicated Brew Dog Bar, showcasing their outrageous range of mega-hopped Keg Beers, alongside a huge selection of their bottled beers. The Soul Bar in the Jamaica Inn (which is playing a tribute to the late, great Tony Class who sadly passed away this year), will be spinning a mix of Soul, Ska and Two-Tone classics, from 18.00 til late on Friday and Saturday.
Tattoo Contests As always, the biggest show on offer is provided by the visitors themselves, who will compete in the Tattoo contests for Best Of Day, Best Back Piece, Best Colours, Best Black And Grey and Best Of Show. More vendors and traders than ever before will be offering a huge range of tattoo equipment, flash and aftercare products, let alone a mind boggling range of of alternative merchandise, body jewellery, latex, burlesque, fetish, rockabilly, goth, 50s pin-up, skate and rocker clothing stalls which will be packed into the huge lower vault floor.
Travelling is my life
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