An Ethio-jazz version of Lilly Allen’s ‘LDN’ from the Krar Collective sits alongside Lokkhi Terra’s Bengali-Cuban take on The Small Face’s ‘Itchycoo Park’. There are two versions of The Clash’s ‘London Calling’ - an Arabic dancehall banger from Afrikan Boy & TGU and an Indo-jazz-punk belter from Arun Ghosh
Afro-reggae pioneers the Soothsayers bring us a soothing version of Ralph Mctell’s ‘Streets of London’. Sephardic-flamenco act Los Desterrados take Elvis Costello’s ‘I don’t want to go to Chelsea’ on a Moroccan road-trip and Billy Bragg’s ‘A13 Trunk road to the sea’ gets a Brit-Afro working over courtesy of AJ Holmes & the Hackney Empire.
According to the 2001 census, 30% of London residents were born outside England (not including second and third generation immigrants), with more than 300 languages spoken and over 50 non-indigenous communities with populations of 10,000 or more. London’s Calling reflects this diversity and gives these communities a platform to engage with fellow Londoners, whilst staking London’s claim as the most important and influential city for music in the world.
London’s Calling will be launched with a takeover of the main stage at the opening weekend of the London Pleasure Gardens featuring Soothsayers, AJ Holmes & the Hackney Empire, Katy Prado & the Mamboleros & Cumbe on the 30/06 and Lokkhi Terra, Krar Collective & Los Desterrados on the 01/07
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Financed by an Arts Council grant and recorded in London throughout April 2012, London’s Calling is the debut project from London-based production agency Culture Clash whose manifesto is a celebration of the new global, cultural mash-up.
"As varied and flourishing as the UK music scene is,
it's still predominantly Anglo centric with a mainstream that doesn't
scratch the surface of the amazing and culturally diverse musical talent
that Britain and its major cities has”, says co-producer MC. “With all
eyes on the capital this Summer, what better way to celebrate the most
culturally diverse city in the world than with anthemic London songs
being re-interpreted by the sort of people that makes this city so
great.”
London Pleasure Gardens - 30/06 & 01/07 (opening weekend):
Feat: AJ Holmes & the Hackney Empire, Cumbe, Soothsayers, Krar Collective, Los Desterrados, Katy & the Mamboleros
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BT River of Music - 21/07 & 22/07:
Feat Krar Collective (Africa stage), Arun Ghosh (Asia stage), Transglobal Underground (Asia stage)
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