Festival2Funky 2022
This year’s Festival2Funky 2022 was focused on ‘Reuniting Audiences’, something which artists, organisers and audiences alike were all excited to achieve.
The diverse programme of the festival was launched on Thursday 3rd June by Dare to Diva productions, showcasing the works of up-and-coming artists including Miss Jacqui, Elle Chante and Shadeemus, followed by the soul/jazz legend Carol Leeming and the Acts of Senseless Beauty.
On the Friday, the festival included a Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave, as well as rooftop raves, featuring Sub Zero, DJ SS and Azpect. Friday Flavaz, hosted by Radio2Funky, delivered a successful afternoon/evening, displaying different genres of music alongside Caribbean-influenced local food companies. As well as this, Some Antics hosted a poetry slam and workshop at 2Funky Complex, featuring Abena Essah.
The second day of the festival created opportunities for young artists involved through Leicester based organisations Pedestrian and Stackhouse, whilst The Garden Getaway showcased its first fully female line-up at 2Funky Street Kitchen. In the evening we had the festival headliner Kabaka Pyramid, who performed his ingenious blend of reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop music at 2Funky Music Café.
Music continued into the night; Dialtone Sound, Gracious K, DJ Paak and Radio2Funky DJ’s – all ensuring that the festivals iconic sound continued into the early hours.
The final day was Sunday. This highlighted other art forms including graffiti and dance, letting them take centre stage at 2Funky Music Café. Ilke-Ta performed at the Sunday Jazz Lunch using his drums to create an intricate, glitch-heavy approach to jazz music. And in the evening we saw Ickey Singh captivate audiences at the Desi Fusion event, which was a blend of hip hop music with South Asian sounds.
Festival2Funky 2022 successfully reunited audiences whilst new and established artists alike, from mainly Black, Caribbean and African descent, performed various genres of music, creating a community and platform to celebrate heritage and culture.
-wrote by Amy Morgan, DMU Intern
