Saw it last night. Mini review on Multiply. Basically it's a good, if dark film. Purely for the fans and setting up for the last book which is coming out in two parts. Oh, and the kids' hormones kick in big time, i.e. lots of snogging.

I've now been playing with The Barking Spiders (previously Unforgiven) for about 8 months. We've built up a set list of about 20 covers, some more polished than others. We feel we're almost ready to play a gig now, so we need to start talking to some local venues. We decided it was about time that we invited in some friends to our rehearsal venue to hear us play and did so on Tuesday.

It was a small audience, though bigger than at some pub gigs I've been to, but was still a fun evening. We borrowed a PA system to make the vocals audible and proceeded to play through all our songs. There were a few mistakes, but the response was pretty good. This was the first time that my family had seen me with the band and they were impressed. They've been putting up with me going out most weeks to practice.

We won't get many sessions with the whole band over the next couple of months due to holidays, but we plan to learn some more songs anyway. So keep an eye out for gigs in the autumn.

I recorded most of the session, but need to sort out what is suitable for sharing with the world. Tracks may appear on our site or possibly elsewhere. We have a Facebook page, but I don't like the fact that only those registered with the site can see it properly. I'm looking at other options for getting us known. Suggestions welcome.

RotW used to be a free music festival based around Hitchin town centre using the church and various open spaces. As of last year it was moved to a private park and started charging as it was losing money. It's run by volunteers. I've been a few times and seem some cool acts. You don't get many big names, but then you are not paying much either. This year it cost £20 for a family of four per day, which is less than a single ticket at many festivals.

We were there yesterday, Saturday.Acts we saw included:

• Panda Police - Local teenage rock/pop band
• Oka Vanga - British guitar duo in a similar vein to Rodrigo y Gabriella. Bought their CD
• Rebel Control - Reggae
• Askew Sisters - Traditional folk duo
• Hjaltalin - Large Icelandic group that reminded me a little of Arcade Fire. Nice use of bassoon
• Toque Tambor - Local amateur samba group supplemented by singers, guitarists, dancers and a guy who did a nice line in tambourine juggling. Got everyone dancing
• Lol Coxhill - Very free jazz stylings
• Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman - Stunning harp and guitar duo. Some of the best acoustic playing I've heard

There was lots more going on with six stages and the arena for sport and arts demonstrations. Lots of 'alternative' stalls. We had dinner (pancakes) near the Bubble Inc stall and were treated to some great bubble making. I'l like to have stayed to see John Otway, but we had to get the kids home.

The move to a non-free festival has the changed the nature of the event, but it's still a wonderful, family-friendly event.