This evening I drove to Victoria Park in Hackney to attend the East London annual Festival, All Points East and specifically ‘In The Neighbourhood. ’ This is a fun and free-entry event that operates during the midweek of All Points East and is run in partnership with Tower Hamlets Council. The Featured Artists Coalition was promoting a new partnership with Amex Unsigned by hosting an exclusive event on the eponymous Stage.
Amex Unsigned is an American Express initiative that helps to create breakthrough opportunities for emerging music talent through unparalleled access to live gigs, ad syncs and mentorships.
The FAC hosted a takeover of the Amex Unsigned stage from 5pm, with the centrepiece being a panel discussion entitled “Showcasing the importance of grassroots music in and around the community”, moderated by FAC board director Roxanne de Bastion, and featuring guest speakers Dave Edwards, VP, Demand Generation at American Express; the celebrated artist and performer, Kelli-Leigh; Welsh soul artist and Amex Unsigned artist Nia Wyn (also a member of the FAC’s Artist Council); and Chloe Pean, Promoter at AEG Presents.
This was followed by a performance from Nia Wyn, as well as by further performances from Kianja and Ben Kidson.
It was a pleasure to catch up with editor, journalist and podcast guru Mark Sutherland; FAC CEO David Martin; photographer Jeremy Banks and especially star writer and singer Kelli-Leigh.
Earlier in the day Ben and I toured the West End taking pictures of a number of music-related premises for my video tribute to John Smith OBE upon his retirement as Chair of PPL. These included the former MU National office in Oval; the Coliseum (former home to ENO); the TUC’s Congress House; the Royal Society of Musicians in my old stamping ground Fitzroy Square; and the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone Road.
