Gardna, Relly, C-Froo, Miss Twist, Lady Nade and Delegates Of Rhyme are just some of the acts who are set to perform at 4th annual XLR Festival at Knowle West Media Centre this August.

XLR aims to create and showcase high quality, uplifting music – and give young people experiences they won’t forget and which can help their personal and professional development. In order to do this, we’ve invite industry leaders to run professional sessions in lyric writing, beat-making and recording, as well as workshops in how to make music videos and run photo-shoots, and entrepreneurial talks. There will be performances every evening showcasing new music talent.

Created in 2010, XLR is a high quality music and creative festival with young people at the heart of every activity, workshop and performance. Running from 12th – 15th August 2014, the day split into workshops from 11am – 5pm and then becomes a live show, with performances taking place from 5pm – 9pm.

XLR centers around Hip Hop culture, with workshops focusing on lyric writing, MC’ing, beatmaking, graffiti, DJ’ing and more. Over the last four years some of Bristol’s most respected artists including Krissy Kriss, K*Ners, Buggsy, Dissmiss (Dutty Girls), Twizzy, DJ Quest, B’Tol and many more.

Tuesday kicks the festival off with a bang, with Campus Skatepark creating an amazing obstacle course, offering free tuition and the chance to be part of a go-pro skate video. Weapon Of Choice and Bubs of the mighty Girls On Top crew live be live painting throughout the day, alongside graffiti and DJ’ing workshops. The festival will have a pop-up market for Tuesday only, featuring Not Too Shabby Clothing, Undun Design (Jewellery), original artwork and some great local food on offer. The nights events are hosted by Bristol heavyweight B-Tol, and features performances from young artists including Jordan Nathaniel and God MC, and established performers Makala Chueng and Frilla (Frillbeats). On DJ duties is DJ and producer Joe Bird of The Kelidoscope Radio Show from Passion Radio, Rap-Torial and The Delegates Of Rhyme.

Wednesday sees another jam packed day, featuring lyric writing, MC’ing and art workshops. A highlight of the day is the “Progress Q & A” from 1 – 2pm. This features some of the cities finest creative’s talking about their skills and experience. This year the panel features:
Lil Rhys – Professional busker
Josh Tucker – Creator of Temple Records
Sam Dyson – Freehouse Studios
Justin Box – After Dark

Wednesday evening features an amazing set of performances from Relly, the rising star Gardna and a host of performances from youth music label Temple Records featuring Teez, fresh off the back of Glastonbury, Boombap and Saint Paul’s Carnival, Presh Boiiz and Kieran Bonne Suiss. On the decks we have DJ Fabia from Ujima Radio’s Universal Magnetic Show.

Thursday includes an amazing DJ workshop with Innafader supported Five Stylez alongside Audiosnax of the Don’t Sleep family. With beatmaking and ring pull jewellery making sessions, the evening offers an eclectic mix of acoustic acts, with an incredible line up featuring live hip hop outfit Sounds Of Harlowe, the beautiful tones of Lady Nade and the upbeat and ever entertaining With Nell And I. As ever, the acts are supported by young performers, with Thursday night featuring more of the Temple Records team, in addition to Miss Twist, offering a rare acoustic set, and Bath based singer / songwriter Alex Part.

The final day of the festival (Friday) is the culmination of the young people’s work throughout the week. With practice sessions, studio recording and photo shoots, the young performers will be readying themselves for the evenings showcase night, with a number of young performers taking centre stage. With live performances from Hip Hop duo The Delegates Of Rhyme (Vice and Donnie Numeric) and the night hosted (including a set from) by C-Froo.

Throughout the week SATV will be filming street style videos in addition to logging performances. Not Too Shabby Clothing throughout the week will be around, supporting and getting involved, including giveaways and opportunities to pisk up your own limited tees. Ujima Radio will be working with the young people to create daily podcasts, and Tommy of The Presh Boiiz will be the official interviewer, so be sure to say hi when you see him!

Come along, get involved, and bring your family and friends!

Free entry (Book places by calling 0117 903 0444)
11am – 9pm Tuesday 12th August – 15th August 2014

Facebook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1459490860970008/

For more information please visit:
http://kwmc.org.uk/projects/xlr/