MusicMafia: akala

27 October 2011

Much ado about bashy - UK grime artists pay homage to Shakespeare

13:26 musicmafiauk No comments

MUCH ADO ABOUT BASHY

UK GRIME ARTIST PAYS HOMAGE TO SHAKESPEARE FOR THE FIRST DIRECT DIALOGUE FESTIVAL 2011

First direct bank is proud to confirm the addition of award-winning rapper/actor Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas to complete the First Direct Dialogue Festival 2011 line up. On Friday 4th November, in a nod to William Shakespeare, one of the greatest British literature legends of our time, Bashy will collaborate with Akala and The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company in a night of intense vocal word throw down. Expect vocal accents, lyrical references, rhyme wizardry and serious swagger.

The Urban Music award winner and Mobo nominee will be performing in a one off lyrical night, as part of the four day festival which celebrates the art of conversation in a series of thought-provoking, creative and inspiring displays of discussion and exchange. Describing himself as a social street commentator Bashy will share the stage with legendary punk poet and performer John Cooper Clarke, Tim Key and high profile poets Sabrina Mahfouz and Murray Lachlan Young

The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company will produce a bespoke “Hip Hop Shakespeare Live” performance as part of the inaugural First Direct Dialogue Festival. The performance will be hosted by Akala who will be joined onstage by the infamous THSC live band, undiscovered young talent & special guest award winning artist and renowned actor Ashley ‘Bashy’ Thomas all performing a medley of songs inspired by scenes/themes from famous Shakespeare plays/sonnets. Bashy AKA Ashley Thomas comments, “If Shakespeare was still alive I’d collaborate with him for sure, he’d bring some sick lyrics to the table. He’s been a real influence in my career so I’m really excited about being a part of this project.”

The four-day festival is taking place in Notting Hill from the 2^ndto the 5^th November showcasing a diverse selection of artists, fusing music, comedy, debate and rhyme, in a four-day celebration of the spoken word.

To keep up-to-date with all the news from Dialogue Festival and to buy tickets visit www.firstdirect.com/dialogue

check out the launch video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0reM-hLqX2s or follow @dialoguefest on Twitter.

18 September 2011

Billy Bragg - Left Field In Motion Tour

13:14 musicmafiauk No comments

BILLY BRAGG ANNOUNCES LEFT FIELD IN MOTION TOUR

Featuring - Billy Bragg: The King Blues: Akala: Sound of Rum

Since taking over the running of the Left Field at Glastonbury Festival in 2010, Billy Bragg has made an effort to showcase young artists who are mixing pop and politics.

The Left Field in Motion Tour will take that concept on the road, with a ticket price pegged lower than usual in an attempt to connect a new generation to the power of music with something to say.

Writing in the NME recently, Bragg recognised that the English riots had created a unique moment for young artists to step up and offer their perspective:

“The disturbances of the past weeks have stirred up a sh*t storm of opinion in the mainstream media, much of it from people who have no real experience of the pressures faced by this generation, the first in a century that are likely to grow up worse off than their parents. Though this situation has been building for some years, the disturbances have created an opportunity for young people to provide an alternative commentary.”

Bragg follows that call to arms by bringing together a brace of contemporary artists whose songs are full of social comment on the Left Field In Motion Tour: ska/punk radicals The King Blues will be joining him for selected dates bringing their acclaimed righteous sense of ire and fervour, frustration and celebration.

For the remaining dates and in recognition of what is currently the most political music scene in the UK, MOBO Award winning hip hop artist and founder of The Hip Hop Shakespeare Company Akala will also be joining the tour.

Support for all the shows will be from the astounding genre defying hip hop poetry of Sound of Rum as they continue to attract endless superlatives in their unshakeable quest to make everyone "hear what we are doing".

Bragg says, “music helped me to make connections when I was growing up – between the situation I found myself in and the powerful people who put me there. Artists need to start engaging in this debate again and The King Blues, Akala andSound of Rum are inspiring examples of those prepared to push against the power.”

Read Billy Bragg’s NME article ‘Why Music Needs To Get Political Again’ here:

http://www.billybragg.co.uk/blog/?p=192

All tickets will go on sale from Tuesday 13^th September from usual outlets and venues. Tickets for all shows will also be available at www.musicglue.com/billybragg

For further tour information and full show details see www.billybragg.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2011

13 EDINBURGH QUEENS HALL - BILLY BRAGG + SOUND OF RUM

www.thequeenshall.net / 0131 668 2019

15 SHEFFIELD LEADMILL - BILLY BRAGG + THE KING BLUES + SOUND OF RUM

www.leadmill.co.uk / 0114 2212 828

16 TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY - BILLY BRAGG+ THE KING BLUES + SOUND OF RUM

www.utsu.org.uk / 08444 771 000

17 LEEDS UNIVERSITY - BILLY BRAGG+ THE KING BLUES + SOUND OF RUM

www.leedstickets.com

19 CAMBRIDGE JUNCTION - BILLY BRAGG+ THE KING BLUES + SOUND OF RUM

www.junction.co.uk / 01223 511511