IKONIKA, GOLDIELOCKS, COOLY G, FATIMA & LUCY PINK, CARGO LONDON, 22ND DECEMBER.
It’s three days before Christmas, and London is covered in a blanket of snow with icy weather conditions threatening public transport. A bold time to be putting on a fundraiser event then, which is probably why last week Tuesday there was a little more dance floor space than you’d usually see in a venue such as Cargo.
Diesel Radio’s very own Lucy Pink warmed up the spot and got the party started right. Serving up a slew of choice hip-hop cuts, she switched between classic and new, US and home-grown British joints, before Goldielocks stepped up and unleashed a killer set of bass-thumping, upbeat galloping rhythms, spanning the finest in grime, dubstep and hip-hop. Fatima switched up the mood and warmed the crowd up for Ikonika, blessing the venue with a range of soulful treats and passionate vocal melodies, which went down a storm. The Hyperdub lady was next up and on form as she laid into a vibrant mix of up-tempo, bass-heavy, tribal funk-infused sounds, dropping select preview cuts from her upcoming album. From her performance, it promises to be BIG.
There was a brief intermission after Ikonika’s set in which the crowd was reminded of the purpose of the evening: the V-DAY 2010 charity fundraiser. After a few words from See You Next Tuesday front lady Emma Jane Richards, the unsuspecting crowd was treated to a surprise burlesque performance. A little cringe worthy, but highly entertaining, burlesque dancer Mysti delivered a series of light-hearted, promiscuous jokes before dressing up as a giant clitoris (I kid you not) and offering detailed instructions on pleasure for all the lads and ladies in the audience.
The evening was brought to a perfect close with a final set from dubstep diva and the second act of the night from the mighty Hyperdub label, Cooly G. Tearing the house down with an onslaught of deep electronic grooves, dark-wrenching baselines and all things funky, she ensured the night concluded with a bang!
The place wasn’t bursting at the seams with people and heads weren’t tripping over each other in a bid to bust out the latest skank, but nonetheless, the music banged hard. The five ladies killed it with their individual performances, the feeling was right, and a good time was had by all.
Words: Steve Williams
Photography: Tim Ferguson
