By Jolene Rae-Walsh –
Remember Timeless Festival at Ravensknowle Park? Well, the founder of that fantastic festival, Pat Fulgoni from Chocolate Fireguard, is now hosting a huge jam-packed festival full of local talent at Smile Bar, Huddersfield, on Friday, 5th May, for the Love Music Hate Racism Campaign.
The event is in aid of ‘Enough is Enough’ and ‘Love Music Hate Racism’ and is the Huddersfield leg of the UK-wide Crisis Music Tour, which has the backing of the Musicians Union and the Music Venue Trust.
The event will feature live music, DJs, Speakers, Graffart and much more. The styles range from ska to blues, grime to soul, and from dance to rock music. Tickets cost £6, and can be purchased on the Smile Bar website: https://www.smilebarandvenue.co.uk/event/love-music-hate-racism/
The Crisis Music Tour, featuring Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), is making its way through the United Kingdom this year, with performances in Brighton, Glasgow, London, and Swansea. The LMHR organization is using the power and energy of the music scene to celebrate diversity and promote unity through education and events.
The organization’s message is simple but effective: there is more that unites people than divides them. Music is a living testimony to the fact that cultures can mix and coexist, regardless of genre. LMHR believes that music has the power to unite, give strength, and effect positive social change, while racism weakens society by creating barriers and dividing people.
Unfortunately, racism is on the rise in the UK and internationally. LMHR believes that by working together, the power of music can be harnessed to stop this destructive force in its tracks. The organization aims to use music to bring communities together in a beautiful resistance against bigotry and hatred.
The Huddersfield branch of Love Music Hate Racism began as a local initiative in Huddersfield after the murder of Jo Cox. Since then, the organization has put on a series of successful local events that have received much praise. LMHR’s website and Facebook page have encouraged people to join the movement and get involved.
Enough is Enough, a national campaign aimed at fighting the cost of living crisis, is another organization making waves in the UK. Founded by trade unions and community organizations, Enough is Enough is pushing back against rising bills, low wages, food poverty, and shoddy housing in a society run only for the wealthy elite. The organization’s five demands are a real pay rise, slashed energy bills, an end to food poverty, decent homes for all, and taxing the rich.
The UK is experiencing a social and economic crisis, but organizations like Love Music Hate Racism and Enough is Enough are using their platforms to make a difference. Through music and community activism, these organizations are creating positive change and bringing people together.
About the Artists
MARK EG
Mark EG is an official Allen & Heath DJ and has been a leading player in the U.K. music industry for 30 years. He has transmitted his musical message from the U.K. to Australia, transcending generations and cultures by playing countless different styles of electronic music. Mark has won many awards and accolades with a unique and anarchic approach. He plays exactly what the party requires – when it needs it, from chill out to techno, dark to minimal, acid to hard trance, raw style to hardcore.
His versatility, energy, knowledge, and passion for all dance music genres are unparalleled. Mark is also widely credited as one of the leading two pioneers of the complex trance movement, collaborating with many incredible labels and artists. Of course, Mark is well-known for his techno releases on labels such as Stay Up Forever, Hydraulix, Rebletek, and 303 Alliance, producing releases with artists such as Chris Liberator, DAVE The Drummer, Sterling Moss, Geezer, Tiddles, Mobile Dogwash, and newcomer Benji 303.
Recently, he partnered with U.S. analogue synth master Freddy Fresh, as well as Germany’s number-one early acid label, DJungle Fever. Mark EG is one artist you don’t want to miss out on, whatever your style, whatever your sound. There have been many imitators, but there is ONLY ONE MARK EG!
LENNIE & HIS BAND
“Probably the star of the show!” Although only 11 years old, Lennie is an old soul keyboard player loving soul, Motown, blues, and jazz. He is predominantly self-taught and plays in his distinct style due to his Cerebral Palsy. This is his first-ever gig (come along early doors so you don’t miss it). Lennie has raised over £25k for various charities, including his specialist school, just by playing and sharing his tunes!
DJ POCO (Uptown Funk)
Uptown Funk is D.J./producer Antonio Alexis, AKA Poco. Antonio is passionate about the 4 to the floor’s funky dance music scene. So when the nu-disco scene exploded into the U.K., he knew he could find common ground on which to build something special. That said, Antonio (Poco) is still in the early stages of building Uptown Funk.
Hailing from the Pennine town of Huddersfield, Antonio is currently building a reputation in the north for feel-good, funky, nu-disco music through his residency at Small Seeds nightclub in Huddersfield town centre, as well as D.J. guest spotting in clubs/bars throughout the north of England. He can often be found playing warm-up sets for some of the most well-known DJs and also headlining events.
Mark EG, DJ POCO and Lennie & His Band
PAT FULGONI BLUES EXPERIENCE
Pat Fulgoni fronts this top-notch 5-piece blues band, already with European blues festival dates under their belts and equally at home in U.K. clubs, venues, and festivals. Blues Matters Mag writes: “I was completely blown away because he can sing, I mean, really sing. Ridiculously well.”
Pat has sung across many styles, including Huddersfield’s Kava Kava and major dance floor collaborations with the likes of festival headlining acts Camo & Krooked, Zion Train, Technimatic, London Elektricity, and Murdock. But it’s truly magical when he sings the blues, especially when backed by the stunning musicianship of this band.
2 H.O.T. (the Specials Tribute band)
A new act from West Yorkshire playing ska, 2tone, rocksteady and reggae. “There’ll be no sitting down when 2hots in town, so get ya groove on and get ready for some serious moon stomping.”
DON GONZO
Fusing the raw energy of post-punk with the eerie weirdness of ’60s psychedelia, Don Gonzo have won a serious local following off the back of their debut album Active Ingredients. They’re currently recording the follow-up…
DJ CITY SKANK (POWAH)
At the heart of musical subculture vibes in Huddersfield since his early teenage Two Tone rude boy beginnings, some of his musical highlights include founding all night Reaction Rave night Dub/Reggae night Basement Dub Sessions and Dubstep night P.O.W.A.H. Expect Sound System Love & Unity vibes.
DJ City Skank, Don Gonzo and 2 Hot
ADENICO
Adenico’s sound is characterised by a fusion of Soul and Indie Rock, which creates a genre-bending journey through intoxicating rhythms and melodic expression. He’s played events at prestigious venues in Leeds (Headrow House), Wakefield (Unity Works), Sheffield (Theatre Deli), London (Ronnie Scotts) & more over a seven-year span since his first live performance in 2016. A COLLECTIVE SESSIONS Artist.
BOXTELES
Mixing the northern indie charm you know and love with a little bit of 60s-style pop magic thrown in for good measure. Having worked in the studio with Mike Spink (The 1975, Gaslight Anthem, Jake Bugg) during 2021 and 2022, the Boxteles sound has grown. With heavier riffs, bigger hooks and serious sentiments, the band are diving into the new normal with a lot to say. The 4-piece consisting of Tom Bedford (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar), Ollie Harrison (Lead Guitar), Alex Richardson (Bass) and Oliver Perry (Drums) have all been heavily involved in the music business for years, giving them a birds-eye view of the ever-evolving industry and a clear vision of where the system no longer works.
TONIA VICTORIA
Vocalist and producer Tonia Victoria is well known for her blend of soulful vocals and honest gritty lyrics c/o LUMA Records. She has played many concerts including Tramlines, Royal Albert Hall and Soundwave Festival.
Toni Victoria, Adenico and Boxteles
DUCKLIN CURLS
The aggressive and emotionally potent music released by “punk-rapper” DuckLin Curls, is only enhanced by his intimate and energetic live performances. Inspired by everything from mental to political turmoil, Curls continues to take the north of England by the strings.
NADIA AMINI
New Huddersfield-based artist singing acoustic soul with guitarist Rob Mear.
TRAY TRONIC
Sometime esteemed artist and Timeless Festival resident DJ, Tray says “I like to play my guitar and sing, mostly pop covers with my own twist although I do write my own songs occasionally. I find a lot of satisfaction in playing other people’s songs that express how I feel. I especially like playing dance music and turning them into something completely different on the acoustic guitar!”
Tray Tronic, Nadia Amini and Ducklin Curls
COMPERE – BLAZIN FYAH
GRAFFART BY FRESH KIDS / OLIVER LANCASTER
Get Involved
For those interested in supporting the Love Music Hate Racism and Enough is Enough campaigns, donations and ticket sales are being accepted for the upcoming gig.
All profits from the event will be split between the two organizations, with funds going towards their campaigning efforts.
Donations to cover gig costs can be made through Kirklees Stand Up To Racism, using the account name K.S.U.T.R., sort code 08.92.99, and account number 65831722.
To ensure the donation is allocated towards this event, please use the reference Love Music Hate Racism.
Tickets for the gig can be purchased on the following website: https://www.smilebarandvenue.co.uk/event/love-music-hate-racism/
Love Music Hate Racism can be found on the following socials.
