Friday 26th and Saturday 27th February 2010 @ Metropolis and Motion, Bristol
Featuring Performances From: Pee Wee Ellis, Andreya Triana, Dubkasm, Minotaur Shock, King Midas Sound, The Bug, Theo Parrish, Dixon, Appleblim, Headhunter

The Global Music Academy took a weekend off its month-long London ‘term’ to festoon Bristol’s keen beat enthusiasts, head-nodders and vinyl spinning elite with a celebration of the city’s inspirational musical heritage and potential.

The weekend began at the Metropolis with performances from Pee Wee Ellis, Andreya Triana, Dubkasm and Minotaur Shock. On Saturday at the same venue the Academy hosted talks, workshops and performances including an MC production workshop with Dynamite MC, Phantom Limb and Massive Attack singer, Yolanda, Pee Wee Ellis chatting about “life with James Brown” and free quiche. King Midas Sound were thoroughly entertaining with The Bug’s, Kevin Martin talking about his philosophical theories on music production and Roger Robinson discussing his love of cookery books. On stage, the two complimented each other. Musically they seem to have the ability to transport the listener to an eerie, serious world filled with emotive discovery. A marvellous (and free) event for Bristol, it was relaxed and brimming with cultivated and looming talent.

Saturday evening moved to Motion, with a Futureboogie Red Bull Music Academy special. There was Detroit’s Theo Parrish with techno and Berlin’s Dixon playing House, as well Appleblim, Headhunter and a special live set from King Midas Sound. Talking to people at Motion, many had travelled from London and all around the country, Leeds, Manchester… purely to witness and enjoy the placement of multiple talents under one skate park’s roof. They were all remarkably pleased to be there. Indeed they should be - and certainly the evening benefitted from the appreciative and enthusiastic rabble – predominantly of males. It was unlike any hours at Motion I have spent previously. The night had the feel of an intimate gig with its friendly vibe and contented dancing. The music itself was even better than anticipated, with the two rooms gently heaving to the beats, breathing in the reverberating sounds. The quality of the music had the effect of desiring an ear present in both rooms the whole time.

Being a weekend celebrating Bristol’s musical creativity and success, the majority of the artists originated from the city. I spoke with the weekend’s organiser, Ed Williams, and asked him what idiosyncrasy particular to Bristol makes it so spectacularly rousing for the musical being: “The one constant is Bristol’s undying commitment to a sense of musical community and sheer disinterest in the mainstream. In Bristol, the underground is the norm and even that is constantly evolving and reshaping itself. That’s what keeps Bristol constantly interesting. Bristol has such a strong tradition of creativity and musical independence, we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate that history and hopefully contribute something to the city’s musical future.”

The message from the weekend being: Don’t forget what we have here, appreciate, nurture and love its unique ability to liberate.

www.redbullmusicacademy.com

Helen Martin