MADE Birmingham @ The Digbeth Triangle, 25th and 26th July 2015
Made Festival was a blast, from start to finish the crowds trickled through the gates of the Rainbow courtyard. Made is a new kind of festival for the people currently living in the urban age and concrete jungles, the tightly curated sets are ran on time with military precision, but there is no order when it comes to the dancing revellers just let go and have fun enjoying the music in the process. There was such carnival atmosphere at the festival that you found yourself dancing away with a complete stranger who you would somehow be greeting at a later point during the festival.
Some how there was music to cater to all taste, before the added element of EDM, different themed stages. Norman Jay MBE was delivering the easy listening stuff over at the Block Party stage, meandering through the area you find different sounds and energy levels, but one thing that was all the same people where having a great time!
On the day there were many sets to have been lost in, but some of the more memorable were Kurupt FM, a collection on DJ and Mcees from BBC 3 Mockumentary, “People Just Do Nothing” it was a hugely entertaining set that was a blend of music, comedy and impromptu stand up, it could be easily said that they are a Spinal Tap of this generation.
One of the headliners on the night and a natural Brummie for how he has taken to the city, is veteran DJ Marc Kirchen aka MK, off the back of the UK number one Storm Queen, Look Right Through remix renowned around the house music scene from his near auteur sound and it is easy to see why, he spots gaps in music and fills them. MK was treating his decks like it was an instrument. We were well into the night by this point, the and crowd full effect with the flame throwers, fireworks and confetti joining the party. MK’s remixes are well known, and on the night it would have sure to please hearing his remix of “Bakermat’s – Teach Me” being sang back to him. This was a great end to the day proceedings before we where ushered through to Made My Night!
The party carried on right through till the morning. Leading into The Made Food & Drink festival, which was struggling to meet the high standards of the day before not because of the quality of food, drink or music on display-heavens opened up- Namiwa Jazz, a local soul singing sensation was on stage and she gave it everything, a performance full deserving on the crowds of Saturday.
Not to be deterred, we took a walk around the venue to find that it had been turned into an indoor picnic, where family, friends and well wishers had gathered to enjoy the great food and make the most of what was left of the day. Made is an awesome festival and it is surprising to think it is only two years old, I am sure in years to come it will play an important part in Digbeth’s identity and hearts of house music lovers.
Review: Chadwick Jackson
Photographs: Tom Horton courtesy of Listen Up