Jo Bounds meets the director of Stow Festival 2016 If you’re a DJ or live music fan, Waltham Forest could now be the place to be. Local DJ Kat […]By Waltham Forest Echo
Jo Bounds meets the director of Stow Festival 2016
Diskonect Credit: Carla Castadiva
If you’re a DJ or live music fan, Waltham Forest could now be the place to be.
Local DJ Kat Richmond, co-founder of music collective Electronic 17, is pioneering the growth of tunes in the area.
She began by organising a DJ-led event for Stow Festival in 2014, followed by parties at Wild Card Brewery in 2015, live music events at the new Hoe Street venue Mirth, Marvel and Maud this year, before going on to become programme director of Stow Festival 2016.
Kat says it’s set to be a beat-driven summer in Waltham Forest, following a “takeover” at Ye Olde Rose and Crown’s Stow-a-Thon festival earlier this month, featuring Arsenic Mines, PoP Campaign and Bit Cloudy performing live sets.
“The Rose and Crown doesn’t usually have electronic music so we were really excited to bring something new,” said Kat.
Electronic 17’s night at Mirth, the newly-opened bar and live music venue occupying the former Granada Cinema, also proved a resounding success.
“The recent Bowie tribute gig, Sound and Vision, was Mirth’s most successful night since they opened and saw over 500 people come and listen to nine bands and seven DJs playing some of their favourite Bowie music.”
And Kat’s giving a shout-out for any musical talent in the area to help headline this year’s Stow Festival in September.
“We have a wealth of talent on our doorstep,” she enthuses. “I’m keen to get more hip-hop and rap artists on board but also more reggae, ska, punk and hardcore music.
“We also have a lot of classical musicians living here so I’d like more soloists as well as opera.
“We’re looking to bring some spoken word to the festival this year and will be exploring interactive musical performances, too. It’s going to be a really ambitious project so watch this space!”
The next Electronic 17 fundraiser will take place at Ye Rose and Crown on 18th June. For more information:
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