Saturday 6th December 08 - Love Music Hate Racism at Hull City Hall By Michelle Dee (1/4)

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4).

Photography Gallery Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Gallery 5.

Saturday was going to be a busy day. I had offered my services to Arts Development Worker Stewart Baxter the driving force and helmsman behind the Hull LMHR event at the City Hall. Through hard work he had gathered support from many different groups including the local City Council to stage the LMHR event in the town centre. Around him he had a multitude of young willing volunteers from The Warren (where he inspires young people and develops creative opportunities for through art and music) all eager to play their part in making the day a success.

There were volunteers of all ages and abilities all working together without the incentive of being paid or receiving anything other than the satisfaction of a job well done and the chance to be part of something important.

Whether acting as door staff, promoters, flag wavers, questionnaire participants, kitchen staff, stage hands whatever they did everything with a smile and a sense of fun. They were far more aware of the importance of inclusion accepting of difference, far more worldly wise than any young people I've come across.

I have for many years been of the opinion that The Warren was people with no-hopers, drug addicts, dossers, thieves and the kind of people I didn't want to be associated with. I can see many changes must have taken place since last I looked in there which admittedly was sometime late nineties.

The Warren now sees itself as a safe, friendly place to be, with many unique and exciting things happening daily. A place where young people can obtain confidential independent support, increase skills and confidence, meet new friends, take advantage of the cheap healthy freshly prepared food available from the café and don't forget all Warren activities are free. I arrived at the City Hall and was immediately assigned a role alongside Warren Services User Fozzy looking after the acts. So backstage echoed to the sounds of:

Has the band arrived yet are they in the building? Have they got wristbands? Have they got any kit to get in from the side door? Have you got any reason to be back here? And then...When are we on stage? We'll take the lift. When do eat? We had to be aware of what was going on all the time so for the first few hours I was kept busy going back and forth making sure we kept to the strict timetable. With fourteen acts coming through the doors throughout the day and evening shows it was essential to stay on top of things.

Backstage was often the scene of hurrying and scurrying to and fro, not that you'd have known it out front, the stage management team and roadies did a sterling job of keeping everything running smoothly. So because of my duties it was impossible for me to document everything that happened onstage.

Freedom Road, four piece all girl vocal group opened the show, with pop tunes and a social message. I was glad to see Mountain Goat Frenzy on a big stage, perhaps a glimpse of what 09 could have in store for them. Visually arresting with artistic experimental electro chic sounds, MGF once again gave a winning performance. Jesus Stole My Girlfriend next and from the little bit I saw (I was running hither and thither trying to locate The Gang) they sounded good. I was lucky enough to see them at Sesh last week where they played their best gig yet, everything worked and worked well.

Timing, vocals, keys, chords, rhythm and ride all spot on. Big-hearted JSMG could have a big 09 with a cool mix of appealing songs and exciting cross-over appeal.

Continued .... Next Page (2/4)

Photography Gallery Gallery 1,   Gallery 2,   Gallery 3,   Gallery 4,   Gallery 5.

Photographs Copyright © 2008  Michelle Dee

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