Keep It Casual Festival at Hive

Philip K Marzouk

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Keep It Casual Festival

30 November 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Gaz Davies Media
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After an amazing 2018 following the release of their album Feels on Wheels, multiple sold out shows nationwide and a live session for BBC 6 Music’s Marc Riley, Bethlehem Casuals are branching out and diversifying their portfolio. Alongside running a music pub quiz where patrons are made to sing to their teams constantly (you should also go to this), they’ve teamed up with Hive Manchester for this all night festival; the first of many I’d imagine and an event not to be missed.

I remember the first time I saw hosts and headliners Bethlehem Casuals. It was a dingy November Manchester night and I was performing at Night and Day as their first support. “Bethlehem Casuals? What an odd name”, I mused not grasping what was to happen later that night. The 7 piece band took to the stage and they kicked into ‘Bottom Coffin’. My eyes widened, my mouth fixed in an insuppressible smile and I didn’t stop dancing till they left the stage. Blending elements of funk, afrobeat, reggae, psychedelia and folk, and enough on stage energy to make Janelle Monae look lazy, if you’re yet to see them this is the perfect place to start your love for them.

In support are Mama Racho, named after the Latin-American equivalent of ‘young whippersnapper’, a name that perfectly sums up their off the wall grooves. This 6 piece’s sound layers elements of jazz fusion and psychedelia over the top of Cumbia rhythms, a Colombian musical tradition, making for an inescapably danceable sound. Known for their raucous stage shows in which they wear woollen masks from bassist Joaquín Cornejo’s native Ecuador, they have a truly engaging stage presence; as if Mahavishnu Orchestra combined with a Latin-American Slipknot. However, when I last saw them supporting The Mauskovic Dance Band, not one person had their eyes on them. The entire crowd was far too busy dancing.

Taking these jazz fusion influences even further are Ask My Bull, an instrumental 5 piece consisting of bass, guitar, drums and dual brass players. What sets them apart from your Mammal Hands, your GoGo Penguins and the current crop of emerging jazz fusion bands, is a punk ethos and energy. This has made them darlings of various festival scenes including Eden, Not A Cult and Equinox and you’re just as likely to see a mohawk as you are a beret at their shows.

Joining the line up from Liverpool are two piece Oya Paya. Following a difficult year in which drummer Ashwin was unfairly deported back to his native Singapore, the band have soldiered on and I am happy for it. With a sound akin to FOALS, Sivu and Pinback, the band have most recently channelled their energy following Ashwin’s departure into ‘Why?’, in my opinion their best song to date.

Finally, keeping punters entertained between the bands are Tautolla DJ, who’ll be spinning grooves between the bands, and Lady Lamp who’ll be standing like a spectre in the halls of Hive, improvising live ambient guitar loops. You’d be a fool to miss this.

Where to go near Keep It Casual Festival at Hive

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
Leeds
Event venue
The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
Event venue
The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

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