Reasons Electronic Music & Arts Festival is fast taking shape as set times and stage breakdowns are confirmed and set for the big day (see page 156).
Music aside artistic endeavor is at the very heart of the festival’s expression, and partnering artists have been busy creating a timeline of visual art for the day, which will steadily bring the 12 hours of Electronic Music celebration to life.
The IKM crew was approached by Reasons to customise the Reasons lettering to pop up at events through the summer, in the run up to the festival. The IKM – Inkramental graffiti artists are a Jersey based crew, consisting of members KidMidnight (James Carter), Bokra (Ben Robertson), Sao (Vince Talcone), On One (Oli Nightingale), Orez (Michael Veloso) and Mole (Ben Misson), Tommy Gun, Panza and Enos. Each artist injected their own personal style onto each letter, which when combined created a hugely spectacular piece. As well as the Reasons letters the crew will also be painting live at the festival. If you see the Reasons lettering, in the run up to the festival be sure to tag them on social media with the tag #themightyIKM. Currently the IKM crew are also undertaking the challenge of adding an injection of colour, culture and creativity to St Helier, by creating a mural based piece on the Hoarding on Halkett street.
Local event director and promoter Beth Gallichan (Jersey Live Teese, Groove de Lecq, Branchage) will be bringing her honest, fun loving line of creativity to proceedings by way organic decoration, structures, installations and surprises.
Continuing with the visual treats, DJ Woody’s ‘Hip Hop is 40’ 90 minute show traverses not only the history of hip hop from inception to date, but incorporates a cinematic element, using archive news reels, footage and historically relevant music videos, bringing the fascinating history of hip hop to life.
Alongside the visual elements festival director Ben Newman was very committed to a dedicated spoken word presence at the festival. Bringing a mental imagery aspect to the Reasons experience the three dedicated performers Jersey’s Muzzy Foley, Ray Antrobus and Tom Gill are delivering urban-esque material within the hospitality area, but will also be ‘on parade’ within the nooks and crannies of the site itself.
Muzzy Foley AKA Christian Foley is a spoken word poet, MC, writer and educator working in the East London Hackney Community. Jersey born Christian’s work has been praised by Benajmin Zephaniah (for creating “Pictures in the Mind” and MOBO winner Akala. Additionally Rob de Bank from BBC Radio One named Christian as a great introducing artist. Following th success of Christian’s debut album “Mr Invisible”, described as groundbreaking by Urban Vault Magazine he was shortlisted as a BBC Introducing Artist of the Year 2013 in the urban category. It’s not widely enough acknowledged as to how much amazing talent is bred here in the island and Reasons are delighted to be able to welcome an artist who has achieved great national acclaim and comes home to enable us all celebrate their full circle of success in situ.
Reasons Electronic Music & Arts Festival is not just a musical jollification, but a celebration of sensory art forms this music scene has influenced. Post punkers once proclaimed Fuck Art Lets Dance. Though here it seems there are plenty of Reasons to enjoy both.
