For bass music, the RBMA Culture Clash earlier in the year has been the stand-out event since that 2007 Sonar set. Four stages, four sound systems (yes, there’s been a tonne of argument about how some participants weren’t actually ‘proper sound systems’ blah, blah blah…NOT THE POINT!) competing for the crowd, with Metalheadz led by Goldie walking away crowned kings of the night by host Don Letts.
You can still check the night via streamed radio at http://redbullmusicacademyradio.com/shows/2426/. Take 10 minutes to watch the below video.
No doubt on the excitement then, when they announced that the Culture Clash was returning to the Roundhouse in Camden on October 14th. Don Letts is back hosting, and Metalheadz will be returning to defend the title, this time up against the likes of Mikey Dread and Ras Kayleb repping Channel One Soundsystem, Skream & Benga and Soul Jazz Records.
Check the press release below.
Ever since Carnival first came to Notting Hill half a century ago, soundsystems have carved their reputations into the capital’s music tapestries. To celebrate this tradition, some of the city’s biggest soundmen enter the ring under the watchful eye of the mighty Don Letts – to thrash out tunes and battle for sub-bass supremacy.
The line up on the night welcomes some of the most pioneering names in the evolution of bass music, from roots reggae to jungle to dubstep, and everything in between.
• Goldie’s Metalheadz feat Andy C, Shy FX, Storm, MC GQ & MC Justyce
• Skream & Benga presents Joker & MC Nomad & Artwork
• Channel One Soundsystem feat Mikey Dread, Ras Kayleb & full crew
• Soul Jazz Records Sound System presents 100% Dynamite
• Hosted By: Don Letts
In the red corner, we have the Soul Jazz Records Sound System. Part of the empire that is Soul Jazz Records (who count artists as diverse as ESG, Four Tet, Ragga Twins, Subway, Tetine, Kalbata, and the late Steve Reid as part of their growing family), SJRSS’s strategy looks to be whipping the crowd into a frenzy with a mash-up of vintage funk, deep soul, rocksteady, dancehall and future bass cuts.
In the black corner, it’s none other than the legendary Channel One who’ve been spreading the gospel of Jah Rastafari worldwide for the best part of 30 years. Founded by brothers Jah T and Mikey Dread, Channel One has blown up Carnival since back in the day – at Culture Clash they will be serving original roots reggae sounds by the pound.
In the green corner, Skream & Benga will be throwing down heavy wobble to a baying crowd. With gravity-defying beats buoyed on a tsunami of sub-bass, the ruling kings of dubstep will be joined by young pretenders Joker & MC Nomad and the third piece of supergroup Magnetic Man, Artwork.
And, last but not least, in the final corner, we bow to the reigning Culture Clash champion Goldie himself: a man whose Metalheadz label and weekly residency at London’s legendary Blue Note propelled the junglist movement to the forefront of public consciousness. Add to this the release of ‘Timeless’, the twisted hymn to urban Britain that remains one of the key albums of the last 20 years, and you have a king who will not be taken down quietly. Goldie will welcome Andy C, Shy FX, Storm and MC GQ into the ring with himself. But will he be able to keep those infamous teeth in his crown with such a blistering line-up of talent ready to snatch it away?
So join us as the Four Soundmen of the Apocalypse darken North London’s door and shake the foundations of all that has gone before them, to fight it out at the second installment of the Red Bull Music Academy Culture Clash.
Venue: Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, Camden London, NW1 8EH
Date: Thursday 14th October 7pm-3am
Tickets: Limited early bird tickets £15, £18 advance, more on the door
Box office: 0844 482 8008 / http://www.roundhouse.org.uk / www.ticketweb.co.uk
Soul Jazz Records: 7 Broadwick Street, Soho W1F ODA / +44 (0) 207734 3430
Black Market Records: 25 D’Arblay Street, Soho W1F 8EJ / +44 (0) 207437 0478