While we thought that, like any other year, we would be basking in the sun at festivals near and far, Covid-19 certainly had other plans. Festivals have, however, been finding new and intuitive ways to virtually host their festivals, and We Out Here is one of them. Started by Gilles Peterson, the first edition of the festival was only last year, and for a debut it seemed to go off without a hitch. While we can only imagine the fun that would have been had at this years festivals (you know, IRL…) we can still enjoy from the comfort of our own home.
This August 21st-23rd will see We Out Here Festival run as a digital festival, online and on-air, bringing the best of the festival straight to people’s homes. This virtual weekend presentation will be donating all proceeds to Black Lives Matter associated charities. Donations will be split between People Dem, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Black Cultural Archives, Black Minds Matter, Abram Wilson Foundation and The Black Curriculum.
We Out Here stands as a celebration of the collaborative, creative spirit that has defied genre classification, showcasing legendary acts alongside great emerging talent. The on-line edition will represent the same ethos and spirit, alongside supporting the musical community, engaging their wide-spanning audience in a variety of activities and spreading awareness and positivity.
Across the weekend, their website will host 8 different stages featuring over 50 artists, and online festival-goers can pick and choose experiences from musical offerings, films, panels, workshops, kids activities and more.
The festival will be streaming On Air all weekend on Gilles Peterson’s radio station Worldwide FM and on Manchester’s Reform Radio, in addition to online video streaming via Mixcloud Live. With a main sponsorship from Beavertown Brewery, they have made some amazing content possible, as well as hosting special live DJ sets across the weekend at their Beavertown Barrel Store. Jägermeister and the Arts Council England have come together again to create the Jäger x Reform stage, which has allowed Reform to continue supporting and celebrating Manchester’s musical community during this difficult time.
Musical offerings come from all around the globe: rare set from free jazz legends Sun Ra: Marshall Allen’s Cosmic Tones from their lockdown house in Philadelphia, to live sets from Kokoroko and Moses Boyd representing the new wave of London jazz from the beautiful House of Saint Barnabas Chapel. Transmitting from Detroit, techno pioneers Underground Resistance will be providing a Mark Flash DJ set whilst Mr Scruff, DJ Paulette, Luke Unabomber and Children of Zeus showcase the best of the Manchester scene via Reform Radio. The Beavertown Barrel Store hosts top London selectors with sets from Auntie Flo, Alexander Nut, Donna Leake, Tash LC & more.
Adding to the festival experience, We Out Here are partnering with Cocktail Porter who will be offering Limited Edition ‘We Out Here’ Cocktail Kits to kick start the party at home… with all digital festival-goers getting 25% off! Order before 12pm on Wednesday 19th August to get it in time for the weekend festivities. Then head to the Cocktail Porter Bar on the digital map for cocktail masterclasses hosted by their resident mixologists throughout the weekend. This bar joins the Beavertown Bar on the digital festival map, who will also be delivering drinks ready for the weekend.
If you’re looking for something different to do for this weekend, then you’ve found it! Bask in the sun and some funky tunes with a cocktail or two.
