Published on
September 23, 2024
Category
Features
Highlights from two months of performances.
At the ongoing The Vinyl Factory: Reverb exhibition at 180 Studios – recently extended to November 10 – Theaster Gates’ Amplified stage has been playing host to a series of performances and discussions by some of music and art’s most interesting rising and established figures.
While earlier performances saw the likes of Ragz Originale and Jamilah Barry at the exhibition, the August and September programme has brought artists including Kokoroko, Fabiana Palladino and Bikôkô to the intimate settings of Gates’ rubber torch down, tar, light, and wood built stage.
Alternating between shows curated by COURTESY OF and Virgil Abloh-founded organisation alaska___alaska and library, bookshop and bar Reference Point, Amplified has become a cultural hub in the heart of 180 Studios.
Ahead of the upcoming autumn line-up, we take a look back at highlights from the last two months.
Peter Adjaye & Halima
Cross-disciplinary sound artist Peter Adjaye was joined by Malick Kouyate on the kora, Alok Verma on tables and hand percussion, Randolph Matthews on vocals, Anna Adetiba on alto saxophone, Alex Adetiba on flugelhorn and Nii Ayikwei Parkes performing poetry. A highlight of the set was a new sonic architectural piece titled “Rebellion”.
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As well as Peter Adjaye, Lagos and London-raised producer and artist Halima played cuts from her new EP EXU.
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Hendrix Harris
As part of Reference Point’s curation of Amplified, London-based singer, rapper and composer Hendrix Harris performed two sets and a jam session. Accompanied by a selection of musicians including Daniel Winshall, Tom Ford, Vincent De Jesus and more. See unreleased track “Mulatto Symphony” performed live for the first time below.
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Bon Music Vision, Xiaoqiao, Damsel Elysium & Phoenix Yemi
An otherworldly night of experimental music saw Bon Music Vision, Xiaoqiao, Damsel Elysium & Phoenix Yemi come together for a truly special event. Watch Xiaoqiao showcase her exploration of ambient drone on the harp through the unreleased track “Fleur de sel” below.
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Kokoroko and Fabiana Palladino
London-based musical collective Kokoroko brought their fusion of jazz and Afrobeat to the Amplified stage on a night that also saw rising pop musician Fabiana Palladino perform cuts from her recent self-titled album. Watch Kokoroko perform an unreleased song for the first time below.
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Haich Ber Na and Bikôkô
Ahead of her forthcoming EP A 1 IS BETTER THAN A 0, Bikôkô, the solo project of singer Neï Lydia, took over the stage for a special performance blending West African and electronic sounds. This night also saw London-based musician Haich Ber Na bring together electronica, grime, rap, and R&B.
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Photo Credit: Jamal Springer-Lynch
Buy tickets to The Vinyl Factory: Reverb at 180 Studios now.
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