http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19563
This year’s highlights were Justice and Erol Alkan. Awesome performances!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19563 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19435 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19435 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19116
Among the highlights: his oversized, primitive recording device which he dragged all over historic Hungary, having local residents sing their songs into it, and his furniture, most of which is handmade from various parts of Transylvania. The ladies who staff the museum can give you a tour in English and are very nice and accommodating.

While you are there, make sure you walk through the Napraforgo ut. housing estate, built in 1931 to house refugees from areas cut off from Hungary by the Treaty of Trianon. Architecture fans will delight in the display of creativity there, from Bauhaus to Arts and Crafts. Unfortunately, rich Buda residents are now buying all of them out and restoring them according to their own tastes, so the results of that could harm the ensemble, but you should go there anyway.

This is a great doubleheader excursion well off the well-trodden tourist paths.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19116 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19110 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19110 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19015
The three increased to seven when they were joined by other musicians including a clarinetist, trumpeter and a sultry singer. It's hidden away down a back alley in the Gothic Quarter but once inside, you won't want to leave. Nothing is rushed, it's not at all poncey and the vibe gets better as the morning approaches. Get there early (before 10) to secure a seat. For a change from the normal bar scene, head to the Harlem.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19015 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18882 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18882 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18857
Sun Studios - the birthplace of Rock'n'Roll - sure!

Now go to Stax, by far the most polished experience, as there seems to be a real enthusiasm for the subject rather than the "let's create as much merchandise as we can" motives that affect the others.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18857 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18774 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18679 www.canuckspub.com).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18679 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18675 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18667
It's a bit of a hotchpotch of jumble, young designers, live music, DJs, the odd random performance artist, maybe a BBQ, maybe some nice hot soup...

It's genuinely really great for hand printed tees and pumps, jewellery, second-hand books, vinyl, vintage-rummaging, people-watching, cake-eating, cocktail-drinking... And sometimes it happens at night too, which can be very, very good.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18667 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18653 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18576
Small, cosy and intimate, playing great music from Joy Division, The Smiths, Bowie, The Sex Pistols, etc.. An indie mecca for music.

Friendly bar staff, cheap prices and never that concerned about closing! I left there at gone 2am and there was no sign of people leaving, in fact others were still coming in!

Do yourself a favour and discover this little gem!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18576 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18571
Holder of the world record for biggest Irish session held in a pub.

Session every Wednesday, live Irish music every Saturday and Sunday. Friendly staff, cosy atmosphere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18571 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18503
Hip-hop, dub, techno and d'n'b all sound good in this underground spot where the drinks are reasonable, people smile while they dance and the pretentious need not apply.

No chrome, no flashy lightshows, no rolling dice, no sparklers in Champagne bottles, great music. A breath of fresh air (despite all the tobacco smoke).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18503 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18361 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18361 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18312 For such a small, albeit perfectly formed, town, this event has attracted some big names over the years - Oasis, Paul Simon, David Bowie, Neil Young, Van Morrison, Alanis Morrisette, Black Eyed Peas, James Brown - to name a few, and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Concerts usually begin at around 9pm; it's still warm, and the main square is closed off from early evening. During concerts most of the bars and shops around the square remain open, and the majority of the events are standing only - but not all.

The official website is notoriously late in announcing the lineup, but for 2008 some names are confirmed already - Sheryl Crow, Leonard Cohen, Alicia Keys, Chicago, Erykah Badu and Mick Hucknall. The latter is a fixture by now, be it as himself or Simply Red. Elton John is also a frequent visitor. It's rare for tickets to sell out, so you can usually be sure of showing up and buying on the day, but the official site also explains how to get tickets.

Below are some links - the official site, a blog post about the 2008 festival, and our favourite site for Lucca hotels:

www.summer-festival.com/
blog.ahotelinitaly.com/italy/2008/03/18/lucca-festival-2008-new-concerts/
www.ahotelinitaly.com/italy/hotels/tuscany/lucca/lucca/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18312