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Oxfam’s Chorlton-based campaigners organised a cracking gig to raise awareness about Make Poverty History. Review by Sean Arnnett.
The place was Revise on Wilbraham Road; a small bar in Chorlton, South Manchester, and it was going to enjoy one of it’s busiest nights of the year. Musicians came to entertain and the rest of us to listen and learn about something that is more important than ever. In the first week of July of this year the G8 Summit takes place in Edinburgh. It is sure to meet with an overwhelming amount of pressure from the public and over 300 organisations supporting Make Poverty History, including Oxfam. The campaign’s aim is to force Western creditors to drop the staggering amount of debt owed by third world countries, make trade conditions fairer for them and also to provide more and better aid.
The goal of this event, organised by Oxfam’s Chorlton MPH campaigners, was to raise awareness of these aims and of the campaign in general, but also to encourage people to get involved and come to the rally set for Saturday 2 July in Scotland. The night featured music from local DJ’s, DJ Chopper and DJ Harry keeping the crowds entertained whilst the bands prepared themselves. The first of the local bands The Urban Folk Collective, a three piece acoustic group well known on the tour circuit, opened with their unusual concoction of US influenced folk and blues – with the added soothings of an Irish fiddle. The collective were well placed as the opening to entice and hush the crowd but not silence them… throughout the bar the beer was accompanied by discussions of what different people had heard about the campaign, and how they’d been involved or might like to be.
With a short talk from one of the organisers, all ears were listening and the response seemed positive. Then came the raw, young and enthusiastic sounds of Regarding Frank, a five piece band based in South Manchester playing a mixture of jazz-funk and reggae. With a contagious energy and eagerness to entertain, their innovative Latin infused style had the Revise bar grinning throughout.
The event had been a big success. White wristbands were issued, action cards completed, petitions signed, and names added to the Manchester-Edinburgh bus list. More importantly, though, the crowd left with thoughts of change, thoughts about Saturday 2 July and the G8 summit – how they’ll get there and who they’ll bring. |
