The Music People Party, Winter 2017
Understatement; it was a great night.
Most of the amazing people that convened in Camden on the evening of Sunday 10th December 2017 had recovered from their hangovers by Tuesday morning. Pink Cigar, The Kavaliers, The Velvet Hands, Katie O, a convention of friends in/with buzz bands made The Hawley Arms the first event of 2018's rock n roll renaissance.
Minx Media, Northern Exposure, TheZineUK, Rocklands ArtBeat - "a bunch of girls" - booked and staged a co-promotion of fun commotion that sourced a venue, equipment and a party DJ hosted variety show of must-see (and all ridiculously recommended) bands. Wall to wall with movers and shakers who were actually moving and shaking.
We can not thank everybody enough for being part of this.
Above, Pink Cigar headlined, amid scenes of deliciously delighted debauchery at decibels.
With a passionate love of the live scene and respect for artists and audiences alike, The Music People behind the DIY rock underground are breaking down barriers, creating opportunities in "austerity" yet not focused purely on making money to the detriment of all else.
Some of us came together to affect what happens next.
Loads of people on side, various labels, industry, agents, managers in the mix.
Need promoting? Need quality artists/photographers? All at reasonable rates?
Get in touch with any of us. If we love it, we'll go above and beyond the call of duty.
The Hawley Arms (a.k.a. "the Amy shrine house") has it's place in British music culture.
Perfect setting for a life affirming moment of 2017.
Massive thank you to the venue (and special love for Julian the sound engineer and Tommy Kennedy IV of Pink Cigar's Zodoa Management, and Musicians Against Homelessness, head rep, Emma Rule, who had braved the freezy elements to be here this evening).
The feedback from those that came is also much appreciated. Music People faces spotted on the dance floor and at the bar included Sandy K. Moz, Disco Marky, Ali of Fred Perry Subculture, AW Photography, Bucks Music and members of 485C, Sisteray, Daemonik Fonce, The Garage Flowers and some uber suave 90s inspirations and 21st century models. Everybody's welcome to weave into our story.
This particular chapter follows Northern Exposure FC (with members of The Kavaliers, The Blinders, Bang Bang Romeo - like an alternative Doncaster Rovers), Musicians Against Homelessness, Katie O and ourselves at SoccerSixFest a few months ago. Our sunday socials are truly sociable!
With requests to do it again, I think we may be on to something.
A few snapshots from The Music People Party #1.
Below, Heather Minx, team talk with The Kavaliers and The Velvet Hands in the dressing room before the show. With Yorkshire and Cornwall repped, this was definitely a North x South united affair. And a statement of intent.
We selected the bands for high calibre entertainment and the gig was packed before the first note had even been played. Stylish energy pumped garage rockers, The Velvet Hands, play their last show of 2017, rounding off a year that included virtually winning Record Story Day, headlining the BBC Introducing stage at Boardmasters Festivals. We got a sneak preview of their tune-led debut album this evening. It sounds like a greatest hits, already,
There was an abundance of #StageStyle chic at the show.
The Kavaliers (above and below) drove five hours down to the capital on a cold and snowy Sunday to be here. The Doncaster quintet introduced themselves, and their psychedelic tinted rock outs, to new friends and fans by making a massive impression with their first London show. Momentum is building for the band.
We recently interviewed them, then on January 27th, they headline at Sheffield Hallam Uni. Was great to see the packed crowd dancing and throwing shapes to their set. The Kavaliers like a reaction. They got one! No tedious clique standing bored and boring, with arms folded, just true music LOVERS, here to have a good time.
Below, loads of the new music industry in the house. Benumu's word of mouth reputation as a social network specifically for music passion, is spreading fast. Some key next industry mixed and matched at this event.
Pink Cigar are the bluesy punk rock mayhem that escapism is made of.
Pink Cigar put their soul on the line, show after show, with air punching anthems that earned them a slot at this summer's Glastonbury Festival, and were again on top form tonight. Place went nuts. In the vanguard of the UK's rock and roll underground they were the perfect way to round off what turned into a manic house party with your parents out of town...
Seasonally, there was, of course (below) a rocking santa-doggy enjoying his first snow (and a hug from ArtBeat DJ and man of the must-attend-moments, Disco Marky)
Our DJ host, Katie O, has made clubs, festivals and most recently as tour DJ to Reverend And The Makers, gigs, across the land, party like 1999 never ended. Multi talented Miss Music - increasingly in demand. Too right. Welcome to the O-zone...
Wall to wall faces. Heart to heart aces. The after party continued into the early hours. Something defiant started tonight. See near future for further details. What happens next? Make it ourselves. Links to artists and co-promoters are at the event page.
A few days later, Katie was DJ-ing for Radio 1's Huw Stephens. Also a few days later, the new episode of This Feeling TV show landed, which includes cameos by Katie, TheZineUK, Northern Exposure, The Kavaliers (being played at the next Doncaster Rovers game at time of writing) and The Velvet Hands (whose January single, 'Only Blame Myself' is a soundtrack on the show).
Pink Cigar will headline the East End's Twin Peaks themed venue, Paper Dress Vintage, on January 19th and we co-promoters all have totally buzzing shows happening over the next few months already.
Look to the future now, the fall out from this evening has only just begun. We are #TheMusicPeopleParty and we're coming to a venue or screen near you, soon...
One Love. All You Need Is Love. Love Is All You Need.
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