“In Britain last year, activists from Lesbians and Gays Support the Migrants (LGSM) broke through the barriers at London’s Pride march to stage a die-in. Holding funeral bouquets and draped in pink veils, they held up the march for twenty-three minutes — one minute for each person that had died in police custody since 2020 — to protest Metropolitan Police officers joining the parade. One participant in the protest, Ink, explains, ‘I watched friends cheer on the police at London Pride, despite understanding their role in oppressing queer people. In the wake of Black Lives Matter, the presence of police at pride became especially unconscionable and we felt it was important to reclaim Pride as a space hostile to the presence of the state and its violence.’ ...
“Corporations and the state use diversity and inclusivity to wash themselves clean. At this year’s Pride in Washington DC, arms industry giant Lockheed Martin drove a sponsored float through the city, much to the disgust of socialists and queer activists. This year in London, big oil was the target of protests as activists picketed the annual LGBTQ awards sponsored by BP, Shell, BNP Paribas, HSBC, Santander, Amazon, and Nestlé. Days later, this July 1, five activists from Just Stop Oil were arrested after jumping in front of BP’s float and halting London’s Pride parade, reminding onlookers that there will be no pride on a dead planet ...
“In 2019, as preparations were underway for the fiftieth anniversary of the Stonewall riots, activists in New York City organized an opposing Queer Liberation March instead. The official parade ran for twelve hours because there were so many corporate floats, notes Paul Nocera from New York’s Reclaim Pride Coalition. He told Jacobin how activists had become disillusioned with Pride — and the way acceptable queerness was policed by letting in some people and shutting out others: ‘The barricades don’t just contain people, they set up an entertainment dynamic where the people on one side are the audience and the people on the inside are the entertainment. This is a march, we’re not the entertainment,’ he explains ...
“Over in England, Sheffield Radical Pride (SRP) took things a step further and organized the city’s only Pride march this year, scheduled for July 22 to coincide with Tramlines music festival when tens of thousands descended on the city. In 2018, the previous organizers declared the event was a march of ‘celebration, not protest.’ They banned political groups from taking part and demanded banners and placards be inspected for approval ... A month before the march, SRP announced cops and corporations were banned. ‘It’s exciting and it’s fun ... I’m glad that we have the opportunity to make Sheffield’s only Pride one that is genuinely radical and one that is free of corporations and cops,’ says Alex, one of the organizers.”
If they don't do their own warmup shows before R&L do you think they might do a smaller festival as a warmup eg. Truck/YNot/Tramlines? or even a little slot at Big Weekend?
Well I don’t think they can play any other festivals down South as they’re headlining Reading so that excludes Truck. YNot’s Derbyshire isn’t it so that’s Midlands don’t know where that falls on the North/South divide! I guess Tramlines is a possibility… not sure where Big Weekend is taking place this year.
I could see them doing a few select arena dates rather than festival slots but if they were doing that they’d need to release dates soon 🤞
Kid Anansi Releases Eponymous Debut Album on Aquamarine Records – Sept, 23rd
Hot off the heels of an international tour, Kid Anansi is set to release his highly anticipated debut album on September 23rd via Aquamarine Records. The self-titled album, "Kid Anansi," is a groundbreaking blend of spoken word, music, and comedy, capturing the essence of his artistic journey.
The album reflects Kid Anansi's evolution as an artist, showcasing his growing confidence in both his identity and sexuality. Known for his whimsical storytelling, Kid Anansi uses his platform to explore and celebrate the complexities of being British Ghanaian. His work challenges the status quo of what it means to be considered Black, and he aims to empower his community through his art.
Since his standout performance on the BAFTA award-winning first season of "Life & Rhyme" alongside Benjamin Zephaniah in 2020, Kid Anansi has taken his poetry to new heights. His work is deeply inspired by the cultural contradictions he faces—often perceived as "too Black" in some circles and "not Black enough" in others. Through his art, he navigates these dualities with humor and grace, telling stories that bridge the gap between two worlds.
Kid Anansi's storytelling has been described as a unique blend of Zack Fox's sharp wit and the legendary West African griots' timeless wisdom. His chosen name, Anansi, is a nod to the Ghanaian mythological trickster who, in the form of a spider, is the keeper of all stories. Much like the mythical figure, Kid Anansi shares his world through his own distinct lens, offering audiences a glimpse into his lived experiences.
In addition to his solo work, Kid Anansi has graced the stages of renowned festivals such as Glastonbury, Cardiff Poetry Festival, Latitude, Shambala, Sheffield's Tramlines, and Guernsey's Vale Earth Fair. Beyond performances, he dedicates time to leading workshops for children, helping them develop writing and performance skills, while fostering their confidence.
Kid Anansi's debut album is more than just a collection of tracks; it is a statement of identity, resilience, and creativity. His unique voice is set to make waves in the music and spoken word scenes, bringing a fresh perspective to audiences worldwide.
Media Contact:
Stevie B
Mia Mind Music
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Festival Review: Tramlines Festival, Hillsborough Park, Sheffield [26th to 28th July 2024]
Words and Photos – John Hayhurst
Day 1 – Friday 26th July
We all still have the twitches from memories of last years Tramlines, the mud and rain on Sunday was ‘biblical’ as Liam Gallagher would say, so this weekends predicted 21 degrees and partly cloudy is a godsend and probably perfect for this time of year.
So much to see at Sheffields biggest party, and we start with Bedroom High Club,…
The latest track from Sam Scherdel is a summer anthem that blends sun-tinged electro melody, dance floor rhythms, and an irresistibly catchy chorus, showcasing the diversity of his musical repertoire.
Listen TOO SHY in Spotify:
Written in the summer of 2022, "Too Shy" is the second offering from the EP produced by Sheffield-based producer Federico Telesca releasing via BLAGGERS RECORDS.
Reflecting on the track, Sam says, “I’ve never wanted to pigeonhole the music I create into one genre. Releasing something a little different while retaining the soul of music is a pursuit I felt was essential for my first collection of songs.”
On the back of an intense live schedule which has included 3 sets at Glastonbury 2024, The release is supported a string of live dates & festival appearances, starting with a sold out Doncaster Leopard show on the 25th July as a warm up for his first ever Tramlines appearance.