somewhereto_ re:store (the high street heist) - a UK-wide empty shop takeover

What do you visualise when I say 'local high street'? Sadly for many, like myself (who instantly thinks of the sorry sight that is my local East Ham high street), there is the image of empty, closed down shops, littered in between rows of betting shops, £1/99p stores, a sprinkle of chicken and chip 'eateries', and the odd powerhouse high street chain (thank you McDonald's, Starbucks, Primark etc for bringing a bit of 'glamour' to dying high streets).

Do we not want better for our local high street? Whilst generation 'next' moves in masses towards online shopping, bar the convenience of not having to stroll down the road, does one not feel any sense of despondency in the knowledge that one in five shops could close by 2018? Please tell me Sam's Chicken and Paddy Power isn't as good as it gets...

The latest campaign I'm working on is trying to change this woeful picture. Since 18 July, somewhereto_ re:store (the high street heist) has been taking over empty shops UK-wide alongside young people, bringing creative and entrepreneurial activity back to the high street. It kicked off in south London, Elephant and Castle, with an empty shop on East Street Market opening it's doors to music performances, stalls and live art by young talented locals. All the whilst campaign representative Theo Paphitis (former Dragon's Den judge) waltzed around the capital singing the #highstreetheist tune. Here's the vid highlights:



The somewhereto_ re:store campaign then marched to Manchester's Corn Exchange on 25 July, where former Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates, and a host of the city's young talented creatives took over an empty shop for a day of music, theatre, fashion showcases and more. And it's not just one-off days; London, Manchester, as well as Glasgow, Bangor (Northern Ireland), Cardiff, Newcastle and other parts of the UK will see local high streets get the somewhereto_ re:store treatment week by week until the close of summer.

Will this have a lasting, long term impact? One can only see, though the signs are good as young people and their communities are rallying together, reinvigorating otherwise dull, uninspiring high streets; united in a win/win situation that sees our two biggest economic assets - young people and space - put to good use. A much easier question to answer is - is this needed? Undoubtedly. If 'Closed Down' is a sign of the times, then let's think outside the box about empty shop spaces and invite young people and somewhereto_ re:store to lift the shutters and proudly leave a #highstreetheist tag for everyone to see.

Want to know more and get involved? Check out the campaign trailer below and visit somewhereto.com/restore

somewhereto_ re:store (the high street heist) is run by somewhereto_ - the UK-wide service funded by the Big Lottery Fund, helping young people access space for FREE.

Livity Advantage - Paving the Digital Apprentice Way

Last year I had the privilege of helping young apprentices from Livity Advantage respond to a digital brief from Penguin Books. Check it out below:

I'm happy to say the young team blew Penguin (and myself) away (see the highlights below), and are just beginning their 12-month placements with big-name employers; over this period will complete their marketing apprenticeships, putting their new skills and Google insight into practice.

The Livity Advantage Programme

 Livity Advantage is an exclusive pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programme, in partnership with Google to equip young people (non-graduates from an opportunity-poor background) with highly sought-after digital skills and industry expertise. The ‘Advantagers’ are given access to exclusive Google tools, Google tutorials and leading marketing and advertising sector guest speakers and mentors..

Follow their journey on Twitter, blogspot and Google Plus.

Interview with The Intern author Dillon Khan

An interview I did with the Spinebreakers last year, grilling all-round cool dude, The Intern author Dillon Khan:

Blog for The Independent: From London to Rio with Adam Deacon, TriN3rgy and somewhereto_

This blog can also be read on The Independent website here.

‘Life-changing’ is a term thrown about all too easily I think. A friend of mine once called his discovery of Guarana as ‘life-changing’. Granted, the drink is moreish but take the story of three young friends from London going from dancing pals in the playground to a standing ovation in the Olympic Park, before flying off to Rio de Janeiro to star in their own short film directed by Anuvahood’s BAFTA Rising Star winner Adam Deacon – I reckon their summary of ‘It was life-changing’ resonates a bit more than a can of Guarana.

Francis Ngahu, Troy Cameron-Eastman and Krrishna Sivakumaran (all aged 17) entered the somewhereto_ show off the back of a nationwide talent competition back in June. Going by the alias TriN3rgy, they had impressed already with their handheld camera entry, though were up against some stiff competition including musicians, circus performers, BMX riders, free runners, martial artists, fashionistas and even a guy doing lovely motorbike sound effects with his mouth – all with a keen eye on the prize; one of 10 performance slots at the Olympic Park, and one overall winner to get that spectacular Rio trip with Adam Deacon and starring role in the short film.

I travelled from London to Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff with somewhereto_, capturing the best (and at times weirdest) of young talent the UK had to offer. I play guitar myself, but never had the confidence (or sufficient talent) to perform anywhere beyond my bedroom, so already – credit was due.

Then came the huff, puff and scratch of the head challenge of whittling the hundreds down to a final 10 for the Olympic Park – and of course, TriN3rgy were in there. On the day I recall meeting them for the first time, all three of them nonchalantly stretching, body popping and flipping behind the Bandstand stage, and all already extremely appreciative and wearing champion badges. “We’re just so excited to be here. We’re in the final 10, there’s hundreds of people waiting to see us – so Rio or no Rio, we already feel like winners” – humble sentiments by Krrishna before setting the stage alight with Troy and Francis, and as the story goes – winning the competition, hand picked by head judge Adam who said, “I watched them perform, and thought their style and moves would definitely look sick with the Rio backdrops.”

On to Rio, and I somehow managed to get a seat on the plane for my own life-changer, six days working alongside the crew and TriN3rgy; who danced with trademark woolly hats and masks in 30 degree heat on Copacabana Beach, through an old school Copacabana market and Rocinha favela, down the Selaron Staircase, and opposite the iconic Christ the Redeemer. “It was special from the moment we flew over Rio and saw all the lights…” said Troy, “I can’t choose a favourite location; the whole experience has just been out of this world for us” added Francis.

Also basking in the ambiance was Adam: “City of God is one of my all-time favourite movies. To be here where that was filmed, with TriN3rgy and somewhereto_ doing our own film, I’m just as happy and excited to get tRio out there.” Meanwhile, I was flooding somewhereto_ Twitter and Facebook with everything I could grab a snapshot of – from the stunning scenery to TriN3rgy’s moves (simultaneously plotting my return ticket to Rio. Bring on the World cup 2014).

Back in London, and tRio (which you can now watch below!) had its premiere screening at the Brazilian Embassy (with the added bonus of Guarana on the menu), provoking a rapturous applause for TriN3rgy. I expected nothing less. “Watching it, I don’t think things will ever be the same. This spells a new chapter for us,” said Krrishna who with TriN3rgy, are now on the cusp of booking further dance shows in 2013. 
somewhereto_ is all about changing young people’s lives, and I’ve seen hundreds over my 16 months on the project who have found the space and channels they need to turn their ideas, skills and passions into outstanding actions, in turn formulating positive changes for their future. With TriN3rgy and the rest in mind, ‘life-changing’ may be a term I’m not sick of just yet.

Blog for Huffington Post: Taking Young UK Talent From London to Rio With somewhereto_

This blog can also be read on the Huff Post website here.

I can safely say my first year with somewhereto_ has been a hectic one. I joined the team just over a year ago under the presumption that the nationwide Cultural Olympiad legacy project that 'unlocks spaces for young people to do the things they love' merely involved getting future Justin Biebers into studios, future Wayne Rooneys onto football pitches, future Fearne Cottons on the air waves and future Damien Hirsts into exhibition halls (you get the point!). How very wrong I was.

somewhereto_ is all about that - and much more. Thousands have practiced and showcased their skills and passions through the thousands of spaces somewhereto_ has provided (and all for free no less), but highlights from my year have seen 'thinking way outside the box' occasions, each one illustrating what creative talent we can develop with young people if we open our minds with them just that bit further. Getting spoken word poets, free runners and boxers showcased in 10 Downing Street, animators with their work screened on the BT Tower's giant LED screens, and a dance crew performing at the Eden Project are pure somewhereto_ examples of how 'unconventional' can equal innovation.

This brings me to the latest instalment of somewhereto_ magic moments, as in October I flew to Rio de Janeiro with young dance crew TriN3rgy, who through a somewhereto_ nationwide talent competition, won a trip of a lifetime and chance to star in a short film directed by Anuvahood's BAFTA Rising Star winner Adam Deacon. The film called 'tRio', which features Francis Ngahu, Troy Cameron-Eastman and Krrishna Sivakumaran (all aged 17) showing off their moves on Copacabana Beach and a local Copacabana market, through the Rocinha favela, sliding down the Selaron Staircase, and opposite the iconic Christ the Redeemer, can now be watched below!
 "The whole experience has changed our lives. A year ago we were just three friends dancing in school shows. We've now been to Rio and starred in this film which we'll be proud of forever," said Krrishna. Francis added, "Every location was unbelievable, I'm still dreaming of Rio" whilst Troy stated, "It was special from the moment we flew over the city and saw all the lights. I'll never forget it."

Adam Deacon, who may be more used to working with professional actors than three boys with no acting experience, was full of praise: "TriN3rgy were amazing, always full of energy despite the 30 degree heat every day, and even brought their own ideas to the table. They were great to work with, the tRio looks sick, and I just hope everyone enjoys it."

Another chapter from the world of somewhereto_ comes to a close, but expect much more success stories_, especially as the project has recently been given £7million by Big Lottery Fund (BIG) to support the expansion of somewhereto_ over the next four years.

Interview with dance trio TriN3rgy on Rio's Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Staircase)

Grabbing a moment on Rio's famous staircase to interview the stars of 'tRio'.
Watch below to see the final cut of the somewhereto_ film directed by Mr Adam Deacon!

The full story is here.

Outlook Festival 2012: A New Outlook On Festival Life

Often prescribed to the average raver at heart as the medicine to rejuvenate a lacklustre summer, Outlook Festival , despite pouring rain and muddy hills, did provide soothing, relentless and just what the doctor ordered filthy drum n bass, jungle, break beat, reggae and dubstep for the soul! … so much so that the muddy patch on my fallen ass and gash on my knee (consequences of trying to skid down a muddy hill) just didn’t matter after 21 hours (more or less, stamina depending) of uninterrupted, unadulterated skanking.

I lasted a respectable 20 hours, which started when I arrived from Pula airport on Saturday September 1 and headed straight to meet my lads at the festival site for the Black Butter boat party with the Rudimental boys and John Newman. I partied hard (having to play catch up missing the first two days of the festival) with Rudimental producer Amir Amor for three solid hours who said, after seeing a packed boat go mental for their set (rounding off with UK Number 1 summer anthem ‘Feel The Love’ ) that Outlook was “up there with the very best festivals”. 48 other rocking boat parties were up for grabs, and with too many to cover, quick shout outs go to Outlook boat party sessions by True Tiger, Rinse FM, Broken Beat Assault and the Jamaica Party (celebrating 50 years of Jamaican independence) which will be reminisced over for many a year, or at least until Outlook Festival 2013′s next raves on the waves.

Next stop, the fort. Amazing to look at, even better to dance like a madman in, with acoustics and an atmosphere that are attractions in their own right (and where Dimensions Festival goers following Outlook come down especially to for techno and electro treats). Rooms from the ‘Dungeon’ to the cylindrical bass funnel ‘Ballroom’ were filled to the brim with back to back heart pumping sets, and for me it was a couple of hours of Mungos Hifi’s dub-reggae onslaught that truly settled the score – Outlook had become my official new summer festival home.

In between all of this, one might overlook Outlook’s other appetisers; a chill out tent for the laid back faithful (and bodies in recovery/reboot mode), a campsite which was typically dirty (we all have festival toilet horror stories so no need to divulge here) but unexpectedly offered pockets of mini-raves and much more of a lively community than others I’ve encountered (just ask young ex-farmer Rupert who quit the harvest life but won the award for friendliest Outlooker after buying us a beer and asking if we’d like to rave with him after holding his space in a cash point line), and lets not forget Pula town – down the road if you want a little break from the festival life, with a few local Croatian sites and munch that beats the traditional stomach ache slop on the festival menu. Then you’ve got the surrounding beach, which also has parties and break out sessions throughout. I managed to catch snippets of all the above. In fact the last memory I have of Outlook is watching the sunrise on the beach at my 20th hour with the last ravers standing; a couple of thousand of them, killing any sense of intimacy – but who really cared at 7am in the morning?

 I’m missing a large chunk in my review of the festival here, and that’s the remaining stages and harbour, all stocked with more DJ goodness – hours upon hours of Skream, Congo Natty, Goldie, Andy C, the Newham Generals and more which kept me and my fellow raving buddies moving from nightfall to sunrise. Oh yes, the withdrawal symptoms have been dire.

 I hope you enjoyed the highlights and my Outlook experience may just give you a new outlook on festival life. This Dj buffet caters for the rave up purists to the V Festival/Hackney Weekend regulars looking for that extra punch. So if that’s you, I will have to question why Croatia is not in your diary for summer 2013.

Photos: Tekla Balfour 
Illustration: Tom Pritchard

This review was also published in Live Magazine

Interviewed by Ushine Ishine

SO! It's been a while since my last blog post, having spent the last year and a bit grinding away as a Content and Community Manager at Livity - a youth engagement agency based in Brixton running some pretty astounding projects for young people across the UK (and the world in fact).

Want to know more? Here's a lovely round up in an interview I did for Ushine Ishine, the Youth Mentor and Production company:

One To Watch - The Great Ticket Scandal

One to watch this week: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-108/episode-1

I, like millions of others, LOVE LIVE MUSIC. And as someone who's done (and still tries to do) his fair share of moshing with the masses, this latest 4oD documentary hit harder than any concert beat.

If you’ve ever used and been sceptical of ticket selling websites, wondering how and why tickets get sold out so quickly but then reappear on other sites being sold at ‘astronomical’ inflated prices – you need to watch this. Organisations like viagogo and Seatwave are ripping you off with industrial level of corruption, deceit and public manipulation. Big shout out to investigative journalist/legend Paul Myles – click on the link for a royal piss-take/rude awakening.

Communicating Here For A Community Over There – London Charity Event For Ghana’s Yaarah Schools

“Tell a friend, to tell another friend, to tell to their cousins, and their cousin’s friends and cousins. Spread the word on this basically” sputtered Yaarah Schools’ newest patron, actor Daniel Kaluuya (Skins, Johnny English Reborn). He and a host of others attended last week’s ‘Fusionite’ event in Shoreditch’s Avalon club to show their support for a charity which tries to breathe new life into Ghana’s most under resourced educational systems:


Footage of Fusionite 2010

Music performances, talks, food, fashion show, fusion – night. And any of this for London Fashion Week? No. This is all in the name of Ghana’s children states Yaarah Schools founder, Marie Tejani. The inspirational lady left Ghana a few years ago utterly depleted at how 4000 primary schools in her homeland are still being taught under trees, and how 3500 additional schools are under temporary structures; explaining why the national government estimate it could take up to 25 years for the authorities to build adequate classrooms. This just won’t do affirms Marie, which is why she set up Yaarah Schools in the first place; to provide her people with:

- Classrooms in the remote villages
- Teaching equipment and furniture
- Safe drinking water, toilets and basic medical provisions
- Income generating schemes for the school community
- And adult education and skills improvement programmes within the community


Does anyone on this side of the world actually care though…?

Construction and vast preparation for the Summer Olympics and Paralympics 2012 may be erupting across London and the UK – but the response to Fusionite, Marie and her team’s work illustrates that wider picture, that sprinkle of perspective, that through all the hype and jittery excitement in the capital, there remains space, time, need and yes, a genuine want to communicate here for a community over there.

London is a bustling hot pot (which is why I love it). And it is such a dynamic environment that branches of it can and do pause to reflect, come together – and party it up for a good cause.

Come to the next Fusionite, check out www.yaarahschools.org, and you’ll see what I mean.

This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Street Summer Loving With Channel 4 & somewhereto_

What can one do in Westminster Hall? The answer is simple. More than you think…



Crushing the barriers of creative convention, this recently broadcast Channel 4 Street Summer ident shines some light on a rather grey matter couple of months (Rain? Riots? What else are people ranting about?), whilst showcasing the long-term plan and blue sky-high vision of a nationwide project called somewhereto_.

Delivered by youth engagement agency Livity, in media partnership with Channel 4 and funded by Legacy Trust UK, the name of the somewhereto_ game is to assist any 16-25 year old with a space to do the things they love, be it painting or rapping, writing or dancing, in arenas from a patchy park, to the oldest remaining part of the prestigious Palace of Westminster.

Yes. It’s been a summer of mixed news and emotions, especially in my home city of London town. But I look back and think it is very fitting that Channel 4’s Street Summer season about the contemporary urban arts scene was still dubbed a ‘celebration’. It most definitely was – setting off fireworks with projects from Concrete Circus (bringing together the world’s hottest names in urban sports), to How Hip Hop Changed the World (a hip hop history lesson), Life of Rhyme (exploring the UK rap and spoken word scene), and as for London and the Street Summer somewhereto_ stunt – well it just has a different feel for me since I saw the four lucky young street dancers blessing the floors of Westminster Hall.

Why shouldn’t we - even at times of great uncertainty and adversity - celebrate culture, community, young people, all people?

On that young people front I do raise a glass to work like somewhereto_ - which has an extra celebration at hand – a beat they hope we can all dance to long after this summer is out; in that somewhereto_ worked successfully with Parliament to open up an incredible space which would never normally open its doors to young people to dance in (an unprecedented achievement). And they are working to ensure the Westminster Hall special moment is just one of many stories which help creative young people realise that a space of any kind in their community can be theirs.

So, watch this space through Autumn and beyond as the somewhereto_ journey warms up to break some more records of their own by the time the London Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 comes by.

Any young onlookers around London and the UK – the race for space is on with somewhereto_, and there’s so much up for grabs. It’s your turn and your time to think and leap outside the box – so take your pick from any one of these: www.somewhereto.com/spaces


Space-holders – play your part and give a space here: www.somewhereto.com/spaces/give-a-space

This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.


Note: somewhereto_ is delivered by youth engagement agency Livity in media partnership with Channel 4. The project is funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games across the UK.

For more information on somewhereto_ visit: www.somewhereto.com, check them on Facebook here www.facebook.com/somewhereto, or follow them on Twitter @somewhereto_

For more information on Channel 4 Street Summer visit: www.channel4.com/streetsummer

The London Riots – Understanding The Incomprehensible

“Trying to understand grievances and anger (to prevent violence and seek justice) doesn't mean you support criminality” tweeted actor, MC and buddy Riz Ahmed (Four Lions).

That is pretty much how I’ve felt: engulfed by news and soul-killing sights of my home city on fire, accompanied by this summer’s anthem of police sirens and helicopters, whilst simultaneously attempting to comprehend what looks like trails of World War 3 in my own back yard.

Amid the flames and looting, we have despicable acts like this:


And inconsolable reactions like this:


However, when the dust settles (which it will), we have to consider – then what? That is why we need time to stop, sit back, take a breather, detach, reconnect and establish how we got to this point. We must try to understand the incomprehensible.

I’ve tried…

Forget police shortcomings. Forget “bad PR for London and the Summer Olympics 2012”. And no offence, but in the bigger picture, we might as well forget about Mark Duggan – yes an unjust killing and the unravelling vital case that seemed to provide the spark to the riots (after violence broke out at an initially peaceful protest of his death on Saturday August 5). But sadly, his story is getting lost in the pool of carnage, fear, anger and confusion left in London, and now other cities across the UK.

The bigger story in my 24 year old eyes seems to be what do we do now with the so-called ‘thugs’ responsible? There is no justification for conflict and trauma inflicted upon the innocent – each and every looter and arsonist does deserve reprimanding. NO ONE is ‘too young’ to understand that stealing, mugging, and burning down a building is wrong. But I refuse to stop at punishment as a solution. It may be hard for many to have empathy with the thousands of kids on street smashing up buildings and cars, but how did it come to this? They are a substantial group of spawns from our society, and therefore much of the responsibility to make amends must rest in our hands.

Where were the parents in all this? Note: If my parents found out I was looting before my balls dropped, my dad would’ve had me on lock down and thwacked me with a rolled up newspaper, whilst my mum would’ve given me the silent treatment (the harsher punishment).

Not saying my family is perfect, or that it’s not hard for those bringing up unruly children – but now (if ever) is the time for all parents, the government, media, schools and our communities to swallow some home truths, and listen to the young voices…

Unemployment of youth in the UK is at an all time high, as is homelessness; with numbers of those without a home souring through the non-present roof – reports say partly due to EMA cuts and rent cost inflation. This with further cuts to youth services nationwide leaves the odd teen (some of which not even old enough to vote) a tad cold towards the system. The media evidently can’t be trusted (bon voyage News of the World), and as for the police - many comments I have heard thrown out by some young people sing that age old tune: “F**k the police! They’re racist anyways”. Yet however ‘juvenile’ their perceptions may be, and despite the fact they probably haven’t helped their employment options by smashing up shops they could’ve worked in (some gathering criminal records in the process), there are too many with the same opinion to go unheard, and over the last week we heard just how loud the masses of the disconnected can be.

I’m not saying that every adolescent ‘vandal’ on the street carries a legitimate reason behind their actions. Of course there are hundreds of opportunists lacking half a logical brain cell out there who saw nothing but free trainers in JD Sports and Foot Locker. However three days of mayhem and resistance in a torn apart capital can’t be caused by a few idiotic criminals – what we witnessed was an uprising (be it with legitimate purpose or not).

That’s why, if this ever happens again (God forbid), I don’t believe sending the culprits to jail, boot camp, Guantanamo Bay (as one friend suggested) is enough. Nor is a national curfew, military intervention, rubber bullets or that ever-mentioned water cannon; that may tidal wave away some of the delinquents, but it won’t alter the mentality of a seemingly lost generation.

IF we are not to follow with the same naivety, misguidance and apathy as the young guns we label as ‘senseless thugs’, we must now act as a nationwide attentive community to reinforce social values (not just discipline); government, schools, parents and young people in it for the long haul. There is no quick fix, we shouldn’t look for one – but instead perhaps embrace and learn from the great mini-headlines from the riots portraying brighter community potential for the aftermath; particular shout outs to the Riot Cleanup groups, my local shopkeepers on Green Street in east London (and elsewhere) standing together and chasing off gang trouble-seekers, and the youth-led media response from the likes of those at Livity’s Live Magazine - based in Brixton - constantly overcoming any pigeon-hole negative assumptions concerning the younger generation with their socially responsible, active and objective youth voice and work.

Much has been taken. But there is much to take.

It is now a task of immense proportions, but cross-community commitment will be rewarded upon the horizon. I’m not the optimistic type by nature, but when asked if I can make sense of the London riots, I prefer to conclude by thinking that together, we just might be able turn this around, and then, hopefully my 13 year old nephew’s generation might look back in 10 years and say – “Well, that was just stupid, innit!”.

This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel.

Interview With West London Award-Winning Comedian - Nathan Caton

He talks about the Game Boy era, the ‘Your Mum’ generation, gangs, guns and knife crime, bad hip hop lyrics, the good, bad and ugly of family and community life – all with raw truth, cutting satire and hilarious punch and kick lines.


(a taster of Caton from ITV’s FHM Stand Up Hero)

Catching award-winning Greenford-based stand-up comedian Nathan Caton at the Rich Mix (www.richmix.org.uk) in Shoreditch last week was a summer highlight; he’s a fellow 80s child who gave me moments of nostalgia, cracking me up to the extent I literally choked on my Magners. After the set and the realignment of my facial muscles, I met the 26 year old funny guy to thank him for my t-shirt stain, and in turn, nail him down for a little Q&A about his ever-evolving home city, his calling, and his thoughts on the art of stand-up:

Q: I’ve read that you were never the class clown, but that you were the ‘shy bookworm’. Is that true?
A: Yeah, I was quite a reserved kid… a teacher’s pet to be honest.

Q: So how/when did you discover stand-up?
A: Over my teenage years I started getting a bit more courage, I became more of an extrovert. Then one time in church I was joking around about doing stand-up for a talent show, and my friend told me to give it a shot. I thought ‘naaaaah’, but I ended up doing it and I liked the buzz on stage. I still did A-Levels, even went to university and studied architecture, but I spent more time in comedy clubs than doing uni work. I got back into comedy, practiced at home in the mirror; every now and then I’d try it out on my mum – she’s a tough nut to crack, so if she’d laugh I’d know it’s funny. Eventually at some point, I decided stand-up was something I really wanted to do... even though I bombed a few times (laughs).

Q: You mean awful tumbleweed ‘I can hear a pin drop in this room’ experiences?
A: Unfortunately yeah I got a few of those - but that’s part of the learning curb as a comedian. I’ve been to gigs where the audience just talk over you and really don’t care that you’re on stage, but if I ever did have a gig like that, I’d just try and get another gig so I can smash it, do better, and erase the memories from the bad shows.

Q: As far as London goes, where are the places you go to catch some good stand-up comic relief?
A: The Comedy Store in Piccadilly Circus, the Bearcat Comedy Club in Twickenham and Headliners in Chiswick are my favourite joints.

Q: Where’s the one spot you want to perform in the capital?
A: Hammersmith Apollo – I was born in Hammersmith, so that would be cool.

Q: What are your best and worse memories of growing up in London?
A: Being a teenager here was normal, hanging out with friends, talking about girls with mates, going cinema etc. My best memories are the last days of school when you’re just waiting for the summer jam. The worse thing was girls didn’t really like me that much. I got bare knock downs (laughs).

Q: A common theme in your show refers to how much teenage lifestyle (including gun and knife crime) and communities have changed since our school days. Is there an underlying message in your comedy?
A: I want to naturally portray me as me on stage – for the audience to see me and get to know my life and the world as I see it through my comedy. As a result I do hope it may break down some assumptions and barriers. So yes, I have a laugh about today’s societies and knife crime, but it’s good if it can make people aware too. We hear it all the time – and it (knife and gun crime) is a problem that needs to be addressed by governments and councils more, especially as gang culture seems to have come to the forefront again in the last 10 years or so. In London, I guess that’s because I don’t think there’s as much of a community feel as there was when I was a kid; it’s a melting pot of multiculturalism, so many different people with different mentalities, with some parts segregated and ignorant to others. But at the same time I can see that aspect of community gradually seeping back into London, and in terms of the next generation, I won’t ever stereotype – I actually believe a lot of teenagers and young kids are misunderstood, one of the reasons being the media gives a wrong, unbalanced perception a lot of the time.

Q: Any advice for young jokers who want to get on stage?
A: Write a lot - anything you find funny, write it down. Constantly gig. Don’t give it up if it’s what you want to do. It’s taken me six years to get here, a grind and a half, but well worth it.

Q: Who are your kings of stand-up?
A: As a kid it was Lenny Henry as a face and voice of black comedy. Then there is Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle – all funny and clever inspirations. Right now I’m really into Reginald D Hunter, a guy who can make you think, and laugh – qualities I only see as good things in stand-up.

Q: You had a joke in your set about being irritated by someone comparing you to a ‘young posh Lenny Henry’, and that it happens because you’re a ‘black UK comedian’. Does that still make you twitch?
A: Don’t get me wrong, Lenny is a legend, and it’s a positive comparison as he is funny. But it is a bit annoying as of course I don’t want to be pigeon holed. And yeah I don’t see myself as a black comedian - comedy is universal. Race does not matter. But in terms of public and media perspectives, that’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes…

Nathan will be performing around the country this summer, including a set at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August (www.edfringe.com).

For more info on Nathan Caton and his upcoming shows, check out www.nathancaton.com

This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Review: Just Do It - A Tale Of Modern-Day Outlaws

A few months back, I caught a special preview of Emily James’ documentary film Just Do It – a mind boggling fly on the wall observation into the world of the climate change activist; that direct action packed species hell-bent on civil disobedience in the name of the environment…



I was sold, even more so as I loved The Age of Stupid (another groundbreaking climate change film of which James was the executive producer), and even though a reflex reaction made me picture an inanimate pair of Nikes when I first heard ‘Just Do It’. Silly me - but how will communities across the UK and the world react to the film, and James’ portrayal of the key sparks in the climate change movement; from the Plane Stupid guys to Climate Camp, from the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (COP15) to the occupation of coal power stations and airports in London and across the nation?

The film is currently touring cinemas across the UK, and on July 16 I jumped on the bus down the road to Stratford Picturehouse to see what those in my own back yard thought – plus there’s nothing like seeing once more, real people on the big screen having a jolly old rave on top of a police wagon (one of my favourite scenes from Just Do It).

Kyle Miers, a student from east London stated: “Well it’s not the same kind of thrill as the final Harry Potter movie…” – released the same week. “But it is so inspiring, sad, funny, honest, and depicts the real capability of people power” he added.

Waitress Meliz Pravin took a chance on the film through a recommendation “I know near to nothing about climate change, but my friend said I should give it a shot, and I’m really glad I did. It’s an eye-opener, and illustrates how much we as communities, in London and around the world, need to do to ensure this planet doesn’t go to s**ts.”

Such an impact I’m sure James herself will be hoping for all around, as she expresses the need not to underestimate the scale and consequences of global warming: “It's almost tempting to be flippant about it (climate change) but we really must resist that. It’s a problem of such a great scale that will dominate the rest of our lives.”

No wands or wizards, but do not overlook this on screen magic this summer. Just Do It is an action film through and through, one that is as enthralling as it is informational and inspiring. It provides an exciting, different way of looking at climate change and our world as a whole, provoking the kind of reaction to make any neutral viewer budge from the couch and fence they may well be perched on.

For all UK screenings of Just Do It, click here: www.justdoitfilm.com/screenings

Click here for more info: www.justdoitfilm.com

Photo: Kristian Buus

This article was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Review: Juliyaa, Bands And Stables @ Proud, Camden

That’s it. I’ve decided. This is probably where I’m spending my next birthday.

Situated in the heart of the Stables Market (itself a bustling tourist attraction) in Camden, Proud is where I embraced a manic Monday night doing what every individual in London should be doing on the first day of the week – listening to live music and having an embarrassing battle on the dance floor.



Proud has got pretty much everything you need for a summer loving night; a lovely terrace with comfy seating, a BBQ smoking away and a bar (a spot not just for the smokers). Inside there’s a long lit up room with another bar and seven separate ‘stables’, chill out areas which you’re able to rent out for parties (there’s even one with a dance pole, but this night wasn’t that kind of party!). Walk through and we reach the main music stage room – with yes, yet another bar (you can never have too many).

And the common factor across the venue? The answer, on this particular Fourth of July, was an array of live music on hand. From the terrace, to the stables and the main music stage, unsigned band after solo act after acoustic set stepped up to create the infectious ‘I’m not going home until last train’ vibe. Family, friends, and fans of the performers eventually just merged into clusters of audiences, spoilt for choice at what, and who to jam to.

I vouched for Juliyaa in the main room, an awesome front girl (Julia Suit) and her band responsible for that shameful dance-off aforementioned. I loved it. Call Juliyaa soothing soul with a stiff kick, with blissful beats such as Talk to Me, Down To The River, and a stunning piece of vocals in a remix of Outkast’s Hey Ya.



Note: For more of Juliyaa catch her on Facebook and Twitter.

Veteran visitors of Proud will know it’s not just about up and coming music and bars though, as spoken word poetry, film screenings, and established acts from Florence and the Machine to Babyshambles, and even The Saturdays have featured there. So for any Proud virgins, visit www.proudcamden.com, see what’s on, and have a go.

This was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Review: Foo Fighters @ Milton Keynes Bowl - 70,000 Fans, 200 Green Flies, Fireworks And Alice Cooper

So, I'm on the M1 home from the national bowl in Milton Keynes. I'm with my 3 friends in a rented KIA titch car (which looks like something straight out of The Inbetweeners). It's 3am, we've been stuck in traffic for 3 hours, eating rotten quiche, listening to dance anthems from the 80s on the radio. I NEED to piss, I've swallowed 200+ green flies, I smell of beer, I'm battered from multiple mosh pits (including one instigated by a guy with his arm in a sling!), and now making my passenger friend type this up because that's how bored I am. The reason for this turmoil? A day with 70,000 others at the best rock 'n' roll feast ever, headlined by the Foo Fighters, with additional cameo highlights including Alice Cooper, that drummer from Queen (Roger Taylor) and the mighty supporting Biffy Clyro.

I will die smiling.

Review: Open City London Documentary Festival Feat. Position Among The Stars, Cocaine Unwrapped + Blood In The Mobile

“Opening minds, eyes and doors in the city of London” – that was the tagline of the glorious Open City London Documentary Festival. Held at the University College of London (UCL), and showing 160 stunning and unique films over four days (June 16-19), I was simply drowning in a pool of on screen gold.

And I mean gold.

I managed to catch 11 documentaries over two of the days – easily done as the diverse festival films showcasing “the stories that matter from around the world” were screened simultaneously across the central London campus and ranged from being 19 minutes to nine hours long.

Yet the first few seconds of the Open City opening ceremony were enough to impress with a top quality film worthy of an Academy Award; Leonard Retel Helmrich’s Position Among The Stars – the third part of a trilogy after The Eye of the Day and The Shape of The Moon - followed a striving and animated Indonesian family over 12 years as they battle corruption, poverty, religious disputes, gambling addiction and the generation gap from the slums of Jakarta. The “revolutionary” (literally, unbelievable) camera work, seamless ever-evolving family dynamics portrayed by the film, and the ability to make the audience laugh, feel awkward and cry within a tight 30 minutes makes this documentary a must-see.



One and all can relate to the story with quotes such as “We have to eat first… school comes second”, “No government in the world takes care of it’s people” and “Your possessions take possession of you” resonating in societies across the globe.

Other honourable mentions in my Open City London Doc Fest run down go to Cocaine Unwrapped and Blood In The Mobile – both gritty, hard hitting and jam packed with knowledge; a quality described by Open City Director, Michael Stewart, as “not an accomplishment. Knowledge is always a process that can be developed through such things as documentary film… which itself is always evolving, ever-changing and unpredictable.”

In the case of Rachel Seifert’s Cocaine Unwrapped it was definitely a shocking documentary about an ever-expanding problem – the corruption and destruction surrounding the cocaine industry; from the 11 million Westerners currently using the drug, to the misunderstood and at times exploited sources of the white stuff.



Rachel’s film took us around the world, as we heard from reps in Bolivia, and the farmers innocently and legally growing coca leafs (an ingredient in cocaine), yet losing out because of others either wanting to take their crops to grow cocaine, or burn them to prevent them being used to make the drug. We also got to hear from the female dealers in Ecuador, imprisoned and suffering from the social inequality notions that come with being involved with cocaine. We dropped right into the violence breaching from drug trafficking conflict in Mexico; a country which has seen 37,000 drug dealing related deaths since 2006. And we saw how cocaine powerhouse Colombia is still going strong despite the millions invested by the US in the ‘war on drugs’ (declared by President Nixon back in 1971). We even got snippets from beyond the South American side of the thin white line, with perspectives from consumers in London (some of which didn’t care where their drugs originated from), to a reformed convicted dealer in Baltimore who, despite appealing, has seen rapists and paedophiles released before him. The prisoner stated: “You can get over an addiction… but you can never get over a conviction”

“Drug policy is not black and white” said director Seifert in the post-screening panel discussion, which is why her film which blasted and exposed a hole in the grey matter that is the failed war on drugs, is so powerful. It leaves the audience seeking solutions, and the key governments and influencers in the world with their pants down.

My final Open City two thumbs up goes to Blood In The Mobile – directed by Frank Piasecki Poulsen, who honed in on the exploitation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and their natural resources; which are being drained by bodies across the world amidst the ongoing, long standing civil war in the African country. Poulsen uses mobile phone mega-cooperation Nokia as a target, one of MANY (along with laptop and other mobile phone merchandisers) who use the metal coltan in their products – a mineral most readily found in the mines of eastern Congo. We follow the mission to try and track down where exactly Nokia’s sources lay, with the camera shooting from their headquarters, to geologists’ laboratories, right to the mines, impoverished miners and hostile heart of eastern Congo. Having done volunteer work in the DRC back in 2008, let’s just say this staggering piece of documentary cut deep:



These are the “stories that matter”? With all the numbing, dumbed down, directionless rub one can scope through on the saturated box, the three I’ve flagged, along with the other 157 Open City films, really did rejuvenate one’s faith in raw, honest and good storytelling. Michael Stewart called the festival “a celebration of documentary film, modelled on the London Film Fest”, and one that “shows respect for the authenticity of ‘real stories’, the people involved, and the people watching.”

To all filmmakers and film lovers, in London and beyond – Open City had the winning formula – no fabricated edutainment, just the truth, and with that came impact, and inspiration. Open your eyes here: www.opencitylondon.com

This was also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Review: Birthday In Cable + An Interview With DJ Kyle Hall

My latest 24th birthday was on Friday June 10, and this year, a combination of manic working weeks, fatigue, hay fever, man flu, and an early Saturday morning footy tournament made me want to be a bit of a hermit and rest in for the big weekend (yawn, I know). Shout out to my ever reliable (and insistent) lads – who bought me a ticket to London Bridge based night club, Cable. My orders were simple: dance till I drop.

However, despite my love for the Cable venue and vibe (which with a louder sound system, could live up to the epic Fabric and now legendary The End Club), plus some Vodka + Red Bull beverages, my batteries were just running out. The beats were heavy, the laser lights were buzzing; but by 2am I depressingly felt like 24 going on retirement.

Where was the cure for my poor performance? On rolled 19 year old Detroit guest DJ, Kyle Hall. God is a DJ I believe – as within minutes the room transformed, amped up, I resurrected and it was officially an underground rave till sunrise (7am to be exact). I can’t even define Hall’s sound; it’s quite diverse, with sprinkles of electronic, techno, dance and even jazz – though note, I’m no expert in any of those fields. All I know is it doesn’t matter what your music tastes extend to – I affirm if your body isn’t moving when this guy spins the turntables, you’re either deaf or dead inside. Words just won’t do it justice, so check out the vid, and the words from Hall himself, who I caught up with over Skype to chat music and the DJ game, from Detroit to Montreal, Norway to London:



Q: Where have you just come from?
A: Montreal – I played a gig there at a cool place called Circus After Hours. Nice venue, nice city, nice people.

Q: I saw you two weeks ago in London, you’ve just come in from Montreal. How often do you play abroad?
A: About three times a month. I’ve actually just had to get some extra pages in my passport – took ages to sort it out.

Q: Where’s the most obscure place you’ve played a set? As in which location did you least expect to be doing your thing…?
A: A place called Tromsø in Norway; it’s parallel to the Arctic Circle and I guess I never imagined I’d end up doing a set there. From what I remember it’s got one of the highest suicide rates because they hardly get any sun there. But the people I met were all really friendly.

Q: What’s an average day like in the life of Kyle Hall?
A: I’m not really home that much, so it’s hard to settle down and have a routine if I’m not in the same place for longer than a week. But everything I do is based around music man. I listen to records, buy music, create music, play sets – other than that I do normal things like going out with friends.

Q: I read that your music is “experimental with jazzy bits” – how would you describe your music to a virgin ear?
A: Electronic, techno, experimental, jazzy, soulful… all those adjectives sound good – it doesn’t pigeon anything I do. I’m quite diverse, and besides, sometimes people’s understanding of techno and electronic music can be very blanket; there are simply different interpretations, and in America most don’t understand the difference anyway. I think defining such styles is too long to get into. I think as long as you dig it, you dig it!

Q: What’s the music scene like back home in Detroit? You get any influences from there?
A: There’s not really a scene back in Detroit, no DJ crews or constant buzz like there is in London; which seems to have more of a communal, evolving with music feel.

Q: How did you start out then?
A: My dad bought my first (and second) turntables actually. I just started to do the DJ thing when I was 13-14, chilling, enjoying the music as a young kid, buying records and putting bits and pieces together.

Q: What is playing in your headphones right now?
A: Africa Hitech by Mark Pritchard and Steve Spacek – a sick CD.

Q: Any DJs you particularly into currently? Any from the UK… ?
A: FunkinEven and Floating Points are two in particular I’d like to mention. I’ve done great gigs with them in the UK and they’re mates of mine now.

Q: What makes a great gig for you as a DJ?
A: When you’re comfortable, the records can play themselves, and when you don’t have to do too much thinking. It’s not good when you start to rush things, and you’re being too analytical. The music should flow and get across an undeniable connection with the crowd; though that comes with having the foundation as a DJ and understanding of what you like to play and how. Overall it’s a good one when you’re able to be artistic but say what you got to say and make a point somewhere. When those features interlock then you can just do your thing and enjoy yourself.

Q: Do you enjoy it when the crowd responds? Or are you too busy zoned out in the music to notice?
A: I’m really aware of the crowd – it’s important to know your surroundings. It tells you what options you have, and where you can go with the crowd. Every song has different qualities, and if people seem like they’re enjoying it, I know where to take them next. But only if they’re ready.

Q: How did you feel about the Cable show I saw you at? The vibe? Location? Crowd?
A: It’s a really sick location, an amazing cool place to play. It’s still fairly new I believe, and I think their sound system is going to be developed. But it has the potential to be a really great venue. I’d definitely like to play there again.

Q: Where else have you played in London – and what do you think of the music scene?
A: I’ve played at Plastic People (in Shoreditch), Corsica Studios (in Elephant and Castle) and a few other places including Fabric (in Farringdon); though I’ve only played in Room 3 there – I really want to play in the main room one day. In general the music scene in London is so great – the people are always so open and accepting, and so in turn are able to connect with what I do.

Q: What do you think of the city as a whole?
A: I love London – it’s one of my favourite places to play and visit. I’ve tonnes of friends there who I catch up with when I'm down, we have BBQs and do normal shit, I like Soho, the restaurants, record shops, and the IMAX theatre near Waterloo where I was able to drink beer whilst watching Iron Man with my girlfriend... that was awesome (laughs). These are the many reasons why of all the cities in Europe, London is the one I come back to the most.

Q: When can London next expect a set from Kyle Hall?
A: I’ll be back in July and later in the year. All the info is on my Facebook fan page.

This is also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Review: Taste Of London Festival

Stuffed and satisfied – the only way to describe my condition following my tour of the Taste of London food fest in Regent’s Park last Friday (June 17).

I felt like that boy again - reliving my youth; the chubby dumpling-shaped boy who once ran down the aisles of Costco (as my Uncle Louis pushed the trolley), munching all the samples available. Anything with a toothpick was graciously jammed in my gob.

Illustration courtesy of Tom Pritchard

Now, a grown man, the grace is ever present as are the love handles. But the food was simply of a different calibre at the Taste of London food showcase. Envision a field with 40 of London’s plushest restaurants (from Gauchos to the The Ritz Restaurant), along with over 200 stalls offering tasters of their latest products, wine tasting and cookery master classes, celeb chef theatres (featuring the likes of Michel Roux Jr, Pierre Koffmann, Silvena Rowe, Chris Galvin and Gary Rhodes) - and we have every food connoisseur’s heaven:



Slight downside - the festival itself (presented by Channel 4, Brand Events and in partnership with British Airways) ran over four rainy days (June 16-19); where grey clouds dropped an unforgiving shower on the capital. On the afternoon I attended, my trainers looked like a dark shade of mud, and I watched with sympathy for the ladies with white dresses and sandals skidding through the puddles. Nevertheless, brollies high in the air, cocktails all around, the summer festival mood shone through.

This vegetarian in particular simply couldn’t complain with ample samples of butternut squash soup, couscous, Bermudan rum, toffee vodka and wine to keep me and my friends company. Through rain, hell, fire and brimstone – I do recommend.

Next year the Taste of London festival runs from June 21-24. For more info, sign up here.

This is also published on the Media Trust Community Channel

Hip Hop Ain’t Dead – It’s In London

Review: Made In Palestine @ Queen of Hoxton

Where has hip hop wandered off to? Is it still a dominant cultural movement? A provocative tool capable of social impact?

Some of my die hard old school hip hop fanatic friends would give a resounding no, believing the lines of the genre are now blurred in a world of whirlwind commercialism, with any thought provoking messages lost in the midst of booty shaking ringtone-esque beats. I can sympathise with the cynicism, as contemporary rap and ‘hip hop’ trends with the likes of Soulja Boy at the forefront just don’t seem to amp me up as much as the likes of N.W.A., Afrika Bambaataa, the late Gil Scott-Heron and others did, and still do.

But whilst that may not be the dominant sound being broadcasted, the waves of empowering hip hop music still flow. And anyone that knows of rap artists Lowkey, Logic, Poetic Pilgrimage, Crazy Haze and Shadia Mansour will vouch for that. Through their music, bleeding real hip hop, the crew (along with others) have come to be recognised as usual suspects of the justice for Palestine movement, and they were all there on Monday May 30 getting fists up in the air at the Queen of Hoxton ‘Made In Palestine’ gig.



The itinerary gave little new to the ear – at least for me; someone who’s seen Lowkey live six times, Logic four times, and having guest speaker (political activist, journalist and co-founder of the Equality Movement) Jody McIntyre in my phonebook. However, these hip hop anthems and voices were as engaging, hard-hitting and uncompromising as they ALWAYS are. This was, and is, political hip hop at its best – with headliner Lowkey offloading his catalogue of lyrics that protest and challenge not only crimes against Palestinian people, but crimes against humanity overall. Logic rapped about being an “outsider looking in” on injustices, expressing solidarity and the work needed for a truthfully peaceful future. And Jody, never afraid to expose the dividing lines between those who stand for the equality of all and those who stand for the supremacy of some, delivered a short poem about his devastating memories of Palestine. Finishing with beats Terrorist, Obama Nation and Long Live Palestine, Lowkey himself even stated: “Hip hop ain’t dead. It’s in London.”

The hip hop with a point/punch is not lost, it’s just evolved as a cultural movement (and is perhaps a little bit more challenging to find).

Let’s just take the case of the Made In Palestine headliner; I’ve read one popular YouTube user’s comment on a video of Lowkey’s speech at the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Massacre Protest (May 2010), describing the rapper as a “British Tupac”. Now, I wouldn’t go that far. Set up a room for the two to converse today and I’m crying out to be a fly on the wall. But the two are still very different. Tupac Shakur will forever be a hip hop icon in his own right, remembered not only as a producer of timeless beats, but a voice for those experiencing hardships, violence, racism and other social problems in Harlem and the world he grew up in. The hip hop theme tastes quite a bit different for Lowkey and the artists at the Queen of Hoxton, who definitely embody relevant and purposeful hip hop beyond the melodies, rifts and hooks, but nevertheless they spit, speak and shout for a very different cause.

The Made In Palestine east London event in particular brought Lowkey and the other hip hop acts and fans together to fundraise for the Samouni Project.

Note: Whilst Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seem to chit chat, stall and chin chat some more over peace talks and the future of Palestine and Israel, Made In Palestine skipped that old tune, with hip hop activism including an interval session lead by Irish-American anti-war activist Kenneth O’Keefe; raising awareness and calling for direct action and support for the Samouni family that lost 48 members in a shell attack by Israeli forces in Gaza, January 2009.



Though there was no mention of ‘thug life’, Tupac himself was probably bopping from the heavens, as the Made In Palestine hip hop rumbling the Queen of Hoxton basement that night clearly had great political and social influence and integrity – and cannot be confused or even mentioned in the same breathe as ‘hip pop’. Peace signs, lighters and phones were up in the air for each act backing power to the Palestinian people, with DJ Snuff providing relentless backing track after track for Lowkey, Logic and the rest. Palestinian justice combined with the hip hop ‘stand up and be counted!’ heart beat was heavy, all the way through to the very end when we were treated to a cameo appearance by Akala (who nonchalantly stood behind me for much of the show), a new generation raw hip hop legend – as acclaimed by Lowkey.

So, I ask again – where are you hip hop? Substantial changes are evident, but my fanatic aforementioned friends should rest happy in the knowledge their hip hop is alive and kicking – they just have to look in the right places. Subsequently therein lays the other issue: How much/easily will they and you hear of this content? Are we expecting chart-toppers to emerge from the Queen of Hoxton – along with a YouTube sensation catchy dance routine to ‘Long Live Palestine’? Not sure about the first, and good God I hope not to the second. It is most probable the revolution will not be televised. But like with every hip hop generation (from Tupac to Lowkey) – what does that matter as long as the good word is spoken and the hip hop faithful are there to listen and act.

This is also published on the Media Trust Community Channel