AJ Holmes & The Hackney Empire + BBC’s DJ Lopa Kothari + High-Life Sound System DJs
Following frequent demand for more dance nights, Bridport’s Electric Palace opens its doors for a diverse new club night, ‘High-Life’. On Saturday 31st August BBC DJ Lopa Kothari brings her eclectic mix of sounds from around the world to the Electric Palace for this very special opening club night. She will be joined by Afro-pop outfit AJ Holmes & the Hackney Empire for an unmissable live set of global grooves.
From the depths of Hackney come a five-piece band that are taking over the world with their unique blend of Afro-pop with a home-grown British sensibility. They are AJ Holmes & The Hackney Empire, and have been described by the music press as “the ultimate Afro party disco machine“. Fusing African influences with classic London narratives in the vein of Ian Dury and Squeeze, AJ Holmes & The Hackney Empire have created a feel-good soundtrack for 21st century tropical pearly kings and queens! ‘Wedding’ is their electrifying debut release, influenced by London’s rich cultural melting pot creating a union of cultures; where Africa meets London and falls in love! It embodies AJ Holmes’ mad professor genius, who fuses wildly different genres of music together so deftly hand that you’d think they had always walked hand in hand. AJ’s partners in crime (bass player Abi, drummer Ged, guitarist Martyn and vocalist Sabine) are the ‘The Hackney Empire’; a multi-cultural tribe of uber-talented musicians who bring even more colour to a fluorescently bright palette of sounds. Following support slots with David Byrne and appearances at Secret Garden Party, Big Chill, Lovebox and Thames Festival, whilst also rocking the stages of the Royal Festival Hall, Islington O2 Academy, The Olympic Park, BT London Live and Gulbenkian Lisbon, AJ Holmes & the Hackney Empire now come to raise the roof at Bridport’s Electric Palace to launch their new club night ‘High-Life’.
Lopa Kothari from BBC’s ‘World on 3’ brings her eclectic mix of sounds from around the world to the Electric Palace, with exclusive sessions and concerts by leading musicians in world music. Lopa gave up a high-flying career in investment banking to indulge her love of music and as a result has enjoyed a range of careers as diverse as the CDs on her bookshelf. Recently she presented for Radio 3 World on your Street stage at WOMAD.
Rounding off the night, DJs Highlife Sound System present a throw-down of global roots and culture – perfect for a late night, late summer party!
Saturday 31st August
Doors & bar open from 9:30pm, music til late
£5 on the door
