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London Mela
What a great day, London Mela has found it's feet again and once again sets the standard that other Mela Festivals around the country should try and acheive.
Everything about it was so much better than last year, the production was tight and well thought out, the layout considered and most of all the atmosphere just perfect. |
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| This was the most chilled, relaxed and perhaps best London Mela so far, the programme wasn't the best, there have been more and bigger acts at this event, but what was recaptured was the focus on people invited to come and enjoy themselves and they did, mellowed by the summer sun. |
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Bobby & Nihal once again hosted the London Flavas stage, as DJ's they're good, but as a team they are brilliant, bouncing off each other with a familiar ease and MC'ing the stage with upfront humour and confidence.
The positioning of this stage was a little set back and for the most part the passing crowds kind of missed it if you weren't looking, but for those that got there and hung around the entertainment was decent, culminating in the incredible Outlandish.
This Copenhagen based rap trio produce innovative desi fusion beats with great songs, great rythmes and great music |
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| The Main stage was a real mix this year with the more traditional performers of Pandit Dinesh & Kishon Khan sharing the programme with the likes of Sukshinder Shinda, Surinder Rattan and the Sona Family, but the most interesting element at this part of the Mela had to be the Rishi Rich Showcase. |
You've got to admire the guy, I know it's his business, but better than anyone Rishi Rich continues to introduce, develop, promote and mentor, up and coming talent on to the scene.
Rishi introduced, H.Dhami - perhaps a little middle of the road for me, but certainly commercial and he's a born entertainer and Mumzy - What a surprising little gem of dynamite he turned out to be, fresh, eager and vibrant, excellent tracks, punctuated with a street attitude that connects with the audience.
It doesn't happen often at a Mela that the back stage entourage are asking, wow ! who is this guy ? but it happened here and he is definately worth checking out. |
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The only disappointment was the Indo Electronica stage, which really didn't happen, which was a shame as the weather was perfect for it, still as a concept it could be better supported, giving an arena which allows experimentation with new and fusion sounds could open a creative avenue filled with possibilites, sadly, not today.
Yet, everything about this years London Mela was rather pleasent, families picnicing on the grounds, sitting together on a nice sunny day, strolling between the market stalls and the 7 stages of entertainment, nothing was rushed or desperate and it all made for a more laid back, style of Mela that perhaps only London could produce. |
| This is all such a big change and turn around from last year, London Mela has found it's niche, it's unique selling point and although an atmosphere may be difficult to maintain, this is a vibe that is worth building on and hopefully can be recreated. |
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