Reply to comment

Published: 16 February, 2012
by ROISIN GADELRAB

Now the BBC Electric Proms is no more, we must look elsewhere for unlikely collaborations and surprise music matches.

And in a fitting tribute to its groundbreaking 30-year history, the Barbican has stepped in with Urban Classic – teaming up some of the UK’s hottest young urban acts with the always game for a challenge 80-piece BBC Symphony Orchestra on March 3.

Camden is well represented with N-Dubz’s Fazer – a gifted producer in his own right – and multiple BRIT and MOBO Award-winner Ms Dynamite, who share the bill with Dagenham MC, Devlin, and Skepta.

The orchestra will perform brand new arrangements by jazz musician Jason Yarde and jazz vocalist/cellist/ composer Ayanna Witter-Johnson, as well as orchestral pieces, which have yet to be revealed.

The new arrangements will feature breakthrough anthems, while there are promises of new material from the four urban artists, who will also collaborate and perform on stage together.

The orchestra will be conducted by Jules Buckley, who is no stranger to mashing up the modern and classic, having recently collab­orated with Basement Jaxx and the Metropole Orkest, as principal guest conductor.

The Barbican’s website features a short video behind the scenes of preparations for the big event, cheekily presented by Fazer, who pays tribute to co-organisers the not-for-profit youth organisation Bigga Fish, renowned for their massive urban music events entertaining and educating 13 to 21-year-olds.

That’s not to say that this event is limited to the younger generation.

The film gives a rare glimpse into Fazer’s far-reaching talent, so often overlooked in the N-Dubz media frenzy of recent years.

His feel for every element of the production process is apparent and this Camden boy who taught himself to play piano can be seen equally at home commanding the multiple demands of an orchestra as with his own work.

With tickets from £10, and for those unable to make it, the concert being broadcast simultaneously broadcast live on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra, there’s no excuse to miss out.

The concert is part of the Barbican Weekender, featuring a number of thrilling events, most of which are free.

Ms Dynamite’s brother Akala will also be representing Camden when his Hip Hop Shakespeare Company performs at Urban Stories – two days of free art, dance, music, theatre and film open to all in the Barbican Foyers (March 3-4).

Audiences can join in with Hip-hop Shakespeare Company work­shops to create an “Opera in a Day” and take the rare opportunity to perform the result on stage in the Barbican Theatre.

There are also performances and dance classes by award-winning Barbican artistic assoc­iates Boy Blue Entertain­ment and percussion sounds from young artists in East London.

Also look out for stun­ning Parkour displays, street dance workshops, a pop-up nail bar, some kind of Shakespearean treasure hunt, and many other events.

• Full details from www.barbican.org.uk/music/series.asp?id=984