Got the Doodle - Bug?

Considering the weather has been less than fabulous this week, there have been a lot of bugs at this festival. For once, their presence was warmly welcomed as a theme among many of the free interventions and demonstrations. 

Today, the day began with the improvised illustrations of Barney DoodleBug – the founder of the renowned International DoodleBug Day – at the Playstation 3Rooms. Barney was inspired, rather than dampened, by today's unexpected storms and generally erratic weather.

As the showers subsided, we were tempted by the dazzling colours visible in the distance from 3Rooms. Our destination was Albert Square with its various temporary market stalls. As the distant colours and the haze of exhilaration converged, giant butterflies provided us with a curious reception.

The Guardian Debates continued in the Town Hall and today posed the question: “Is London bad for Britain?” Attendees awaited the passionate Manchester icon Anthony H. Wilson. In an after-debate summary, however, attendees seemed disillusioned that it had been more of a polite discussion than a fiery explosion of wills.      

The evening saw the return of more Manchester favourites - this time it was the volatile Happy Mondays. As crowds gathered, the heavens opened for the final stretch of the evening. The atmosphere was electric and even the most hesitant onlooker found themselves being carried away with pulsations of the sprung dance floor as the old favourites and newly released tracks boomed out from the seven strong mob.

By Rebecca Lupton