Manchester International Caribbean Carnival
July 22th 2006
Manchester is a very diverse city with communities representing every continent. Carnival is the day the Afro Caribbean community mobilises to celebrate life, music, colour and our common culture.
For carnival 2006 Longshot DJ’s linked up with sound system support from Symbiosis, Daylite Robbery and Compression to create a carnival rig playing Roots, Rub-a-Dub, Dancehall and Bashment.
The sun was shining and all the people were happy. The Longshot link-up rig was set up in the field next to the fair ground. After a couple of hours setting up and tuning the rig Louis Longshot was first upon the deck playing a mixture of roots and UK dub. Longshot selectors HEALA and SGT PILKO then took over for a couple of hours of more Roots based tunes.
Around this time RAIDERS set up their rig opposite the link-up rig. Their system was sounding terrible with a distinct lack of bass. A huge horn was pumping out huge amounts of treble towards the link-up rig, in a rather aggravating fashion.
X-LOGIC then took over and headed up a Dancehall and Bashment set. At this point, around mid-afternoon, X-Logic and Longshot selectors managed to build up a crowd of around 300 or more, with couples taking centre stage to dance and get their grind on. The vibe was unbelievable with all people with big smiles and everyone joining in with the well known dances. This crowd was sustained for a couple of hours until all the well known Bashment tunes were rinsed. The crowd then dissipated towards TAURUS sound where they started to play Bashment styles.
MEGATONE FOUNDATION supplied the sound system for the main stage and were supporting a lineup of local artists. The rest of the main field was filled with stalls. There was representation from local community groups and many traders selling, music, videos, jewellery, clothes, art, crafts, instruments and a whole lot of jerk chicken and other Caribbean specialties.
Although the carnival had enough music and entertainment, there is currently some kind of divide in the carnival community. The carnival on the 22nd of July is the original carnival as set up by the Afro Caribbean community in Moss side. On the 19th and 20th of August there is to be a second Council backed “Caribbean Carnival of Manchester”. This divide seems to be obstructive to creating a united, diverse carnival the produces a high quality event with the best use of resources and time. Hopefully the council and the carnival community of Moss Side and beyond can come together to make future carnivals the best possible for all.
A big thank you to all those involved.
See you next year!
LONGSHOT are a collective of music lovers who promote the positive vibrations of reggae music. With residencies at popular club nights such as DRUM MUSIC, CYCLIC, SKETCH CITY, HECTIC HARMONIZ and EN ROUTE EN MASSE they reach many people with conscious party tunes for the dancehall. Longshot work closely with Symbiosis and HIGH PRESSURE to produce quality reggae events. After guest appearances on Carnival FM, Longshot were invited to play at the 2006 Carnival.
http://www.wideeyes.org
http://www.drummusic.org
http://www.myspace.com/hecticharmoniz
http://www.sketchcity.co.uk/, http://www.myspace.com/sketchcity
http://www.highpressuresound.co.uk/
SYMBIOSIS is a Leeds based sound system crew who play out mainly Dub and Jungle music. They are building up a traditional reggae style sound system and regularly provide equipment and support to High Pressure Sound System.
DAYLITE ROBBERY is a sound system crew, who specialise in playing Bashment, Jungle, Drum ‘n’ Bass and Techno on their own sound system. They have hosted many of there own parties to huge audiences and support many dances in the city by hiring out their sound system.
http://www.myspace.com/dayliterobberysoundsystem
COMPRESSION sound system is a Manchester based sound system hire company, who also specialises in Techno music. They provide regular technical support to Longshot as well as other public and private functions.
http://www.compression-sound-system.co.uk/
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