Broad Casting at Shoreditch’s Cargo

Cargo in Shoreditch is a cool place. I like it. It has a bit of everything: an outdoor space, a bar area, and a live music room. On Thursday night, Karen P’s Broad Casting event was in collaboration with the Red Bull Music Academy. Between them they also provided a little bit…no, a lot, of brilliant musical everything, including a free BBQ  – which I think should be a legal requirement in all London venues.

The Red Bull Music Academy is a travelling musical workshop. It touches down in various cities throughout the world, builds studios and invites local and legendary talent to knock their heads together in celebration of a singular universal passion: music.

Thursday night marked the opening of the application season for when the Red Bull Academy touches down in London between February and March 2010. So go on, even if you don’t have a musical bone in your body, you might as well apply. You never know. At the very least you’ll get shit loads of energy drink.

The evening had a definite timetable. In the garden, while the BBQ was being munched, Andreya Triana filled the air with soul and folky acoustic musings. Very nice. She can really sing, and the sound production was spot on. Shortly after, Jamie Woon had a go. He calls it: r ‘n’ b/ emotronic / healing / easy listening music. I agree. Both had the sound of real professionals.

So, the main event: Joe Bataan. He is an undisputed champion of Latin soul music of the last 40 years, and on Thursday night he was accompanied by James Pants: r’n’b and psychedelic new wave productionist from Stone’s Throw Records. The show was a rip-roaring mesh of samba and bossanova with all kinds of beats and cowbells thrown in for good measure. The crowd loved it. Loved it. And I, who was feeling a bit sad because of something else entirely, was perked up by the energy.

So, finally, Red Bull doesn’t give you wings, it gives you great fucking musicians. If you reckon that’s you, then go and download the application form at: www.redbullmusicacademy.com.

Cargo
83 Rivington Street
Shoreditch
EC2A 3AY

Image courtesy of Red Bull Music Academy