A few words about MA and Glastonbury...

With all these articles about "black" artists and "black" music at Glastonbury Festival (official), this book would like to remind that Massive Attack performed at the Festival 4 times, the first as early as 1995. 

Later with Jools Holland: Courtney Love, Massive Attack, Everything But The Girl, Marianne Faithful 

They were then invited to the "Dance Tent" because their music was supposedly not fit for the main stage. Yet Portishead, who had just released their first album 'Dummy' (always classified in the same genre as MA but with no black member) were last minute invited to be on the main stage, which they refused...

The introduction of the Dance Tent turned out to be a major success, featuring Massive Attack but also System 7 and Eat Static, and opening the way for new genres and artists at Glastonbury.

Tricky also performed on the Jazz Stage:

MA came back in 1997 with a completely transformed show, which was a reflection of the complete metamorphosis through the maze of 'Mezzanine'.

In 2008, they performed with two unexpected vocalist: Stephanie Dosen and Yolanda Carter, today know as Yola. 

Here is a extract of their fantastic set, in a very rich year for the band.... (Read more about it in the 12th chapter of my book, 'Out of the Comfort Zone': https://www.amazon.co.uk/Massive-Attack-Out-Comfort-Zone/dp/1910089729)

They last performed in 2014 with two other "black" artists, Deborah Miller and the very Bristolian and sublimely talented Martina Topley Bird. And of course, Horace Andy everytime, as well as Daddy G and Mushroom, in 1995.

I guess what they were trying to do all these years was to blur the lines between genres, labels, and references to their "colours". To play as themselves. A task that is becoming incredibly difficult nowadays...

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You can read more about Stormzy and Skin at Glastonbury here:

"Skunk Anansie frontwoman Skin says she loves Stormzy but that the recent dispute over who the first black British headliner of Glastonbury is not the first time she’s been overlooked."

https://www.nme.com/news/music/skunk-anansies-skin-loves-stormzy-but-says-recent-glastonbury-dispute-is-not-the-first-time-shes-been-overlooked-2523552

Libita Clayton's Quantum Ghost

A few photos from Libita Clayton's art exhibition opening last Friday at the Spike Island Gallery in Bristol.

Quantum Ghost is a commission by Bristol-based artist and Spike Island studio holder Libita Clayton. 

"Comprising an immersive sound installation, a series of large-scale photograms and a programme of live performances, Quantum Ghost maps a journey through archives and territories related to the artist’s heritage," the gallery wrote.

"Digging deep into personal documents and oral histories, the exhibition unearths the subterranean histories and political undercurrents connecting the mining regions of Namibia and Cornwall. From mined ores and sedimentary rocks to precious metals and rare earths, it examines the raw materials at the core of capitalist extraction, revealing how the echoes of colonialism and diasporic migration reverberate through the deep-time of geology."

Libita Clayton is a British-Namibian artist who works across sound and performance. 

She also organises workshops and discursive events developed in partnership with DIY organisations, broadcasters and publishers. 

Recent exhibitions and performances include: Quantum Ghost, Gasworks, London (2019); 4717, RCA/LUX, Dyson Gallery, Royal College of Art, London; Memento Mori, Kalashnikovv 3.0, Johannesburg (all 2018); DEBUNK, Arnolfini, Bristol; History Lessons: Fluid Records, South London Gallery/Iniva, London; Going Along Without a Body, Iklectik, London; Lexis Over Land—Towards a Feminist Geography, Tremenheere Sculpture Gallery, Cornwall (all 2017). Her work was included in the Diaspora Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale, 2017.

Performance:

A spoken word performance inviting guests into the exhibition, written by Libita Clayton and performed by artist and curator Imani Robinson.

More words on her work soon! 

XR Bristol: Project Mushroom

A message from Extinction Rebellion in Bristol... Something to keep an eye on:

🍄 Project Mushroom Update: 🌞 The Summer Uprising Begins July 15

Dear Rebels,

Starting 15 July, join us in Bristol, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leeds or London for the next phase of the rebellion: Summer Uprising!

To organise effectively we need to know that we can count on YOU.

Please sign up using the Action Network Form:

>>> https://actionnetwork.org/forms/sign-up-for-operation-mushroom-15th-19th-july

In the spring we occupied five sites in London during the International Rebellion. A climate emergency declaration by Parliament swiftly followed. Yet national and local governments are acting with neither the seriousness or urgency required by the need for climate justice. Instead, they are making weak commitments, encouraging ecologically damaging projects and taxing sustainable alternatives.

Britain’s own food security is at risk whilst marginalised communities within the UK are already paying the consequences and widespread water shortages, famine, extreme weather and conflicts caused by dwindling resources are becoming commonplace in the Global South.

On which side of history will politicians stand? 

We demand Government must ACT NOW to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.

So this summer we will disrupt central locations in five cities across the UK. Each site will take independent action, for different amounts of time, but our demand of government and councils is the same: ACT NOW!

You are invited to join us at your nearest site. Please check with Extinction Rebellion UK and site-specific social media for plans. However, civil disobedience, family-friendly spaces, love, music and an object of significance are guaranteed at all locations.

Find everything you need to know and please select ‘Going / Interested’ on the Facebook event HERE: 

>>> https://www.facebook.com/events/505673473590892/

Then share it on your feed to spread the word, and, more importantly, tell your family, friends and colleagues.

See you in the streets. 

Love and rage!