Music
Legendary Hip Hop record shop Real Deal returns to Carnaby Street
Legendary Hip Hop record store returns to its iconic home in Carnaby to celebrate the place where many of the new generation of hip hop stars, burst onto the scene. Deal Real was originally situated at 3 Marlborough Court, just off Carnaby Street between 2002-2007 and was the venue where the likes of Amy Winehouse, Kanye West, John Legend, Mos Def and Lupe Fiasco performed to fervent crowds of fans, tastemakers and inquisitive passers-by.
By its closure, it had become London’s epicentre for hip-hop and urban youth-culture, responsible for showcasing, supporting and nurturing a wealth of burgeoning talent, many of whom went on to attain mainstream success. The roll-call also included Oritse Williams, Estelle, Tinchy Stryder, Doc Brown and Mr Hudson to name a few.
Kayne West and John Legend – Real Deal Carnaby Street
Deal Real was a hive of activity and its legendary Friday night open-mics provided a platform for creative young people to come together, showcase their talents, share ideas, network with like minds, develop skills and build positive futures. It was social networking before Twitter, with many young people arriving as curious music enthusiasts, but leaving as fans, collaborators and friends.
The 2015 pop-up launches on Record Store Day Saturday 18 April 2015 at 14 Newburgh Street, Carnaby. It will showcase the cream of London’s undiscovered and unrepresented talent, including emerging visual artists, musicians and fashion designers. A photo-gallery will depict some of the memorable moments and in store performances, along with archive footage from a range of British artists including Example, Professor Green and Mr Hudson, as well as internationally renowned artists Kanye West, Will I Am, Akon, Mos Def and John Legend.
Reconnecting with notable alumni, Deal Real Legacy will curate a host of free one-off in store signings, performances and workshops. Visitors can expect definitive line-ups of some of the most established UK and international artists, alongside the freshest up and coming talent. More details will follow on Dealreal.co.uk and Carnaby.co.uk Within 5 years of thriving in one of London’s iconic music and fashion districts, Deal Real became known as “London’s Hip Hop Mecca” as quoted by Sleazenation magazine in November 2003.
Founder of Deal Real, Vincent Olutayo says “It’s fantastic being able to celebrate the legacy of Deal Real with Carnaby and to use the opportunity to re-establish our ethos of supporting up and coming talent from music, fashion or art, as well as young people aspiring to establish creative careers”
Doc Brown, former rapper and MC says, ‘I remember Mos Def was over here and he came through and he became addicted, he brought Pharoahe Monch, and Kanye West, and then it just spread from there, the Black Eyed Peas, the Wu Tang Clan, Red Man, Slick Rick, it was unreal. I met all my heroes right here.’
Magician Impossible Dynamo, recalls “Deal Real was like the epicentre of what was happening…they had all these superstars coming each week, it was quite special…it was where great people, who were into good music, would meet up and hang out”
Singer, rapper and songwriter Example says “Deal Real was the heart of the hip hop culture in London…The open mic events were legendary and gave me the confidence to perform in front of a crowd. So many successful British artists and international stars regularly hung out, bought records, or performed there.”
No shopping street in the world can boast a real connection with music and popular culture quite like Carnaby Street. Music and fashion have walked hand in hand ever since the young entrepreneur John Stephen opened his first boutique called ‘His Clothes’ in 1958. It became a mecca for the new mods, seriously into their sharp threads. By 1964 Lord John had opened, and owner Warren Gold found himself dressing the young John Lennon, Brian Jones and Mick Jagger.
Carnaby today is London’s coolest shopping and dining destination – an intriguing mix of 13 streets where you can discover independent boutiques, heritage brands, flagship stores and new concept stores as well as a vast choice of restaurants, bars and pubs. Today, many of the fashion stores have strong links with musicians including Liam Gallagher who chose Carnaby Street as the flagship home for his brand Pretty Green, at number 57.
The Great Frog at 10 Ganton Street opened in 1972 and makes rock inspired jewellery for the likes of Iron Maiden, Arctic Monkeys, Lady Gaga and Motorhead. Drop Dead, Vans, Dr. Martens, Ben Sherman, Lambretta, adidas Originals and the brand new European flagship for Pharrell Williams’ brand Billionaire Boys Club are among the many brands that have a big music focus.
Excitement is building as Live Nation and top event promoter Cuffe & Taylor announce more amazing artists for the TK Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions at Bedford Park. On Sunday, 30 June, the talented Dagny and The Mercians will join headliner Jess Glynne and support act Cian Ducrot for a night to remember.
The inaugural Bedford Summer Sessions are set to be a highlight of the summer, featuring a lineup of world-class artists throughout June and July 2024. Fans can look forward to performances by Avril Lavigne, Tom Jones, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Pete Tong, and James. Tickets, including Weekend Passes, are available now at smmrsessions.com and ticketmaster.co.uk.
Dagny, the Norwegian singer-songwriter known for her hits “Somebody” and “Love You Like That,” is set to dazzle the Bedford Park crowd. With her unique blend of indie pop and Scandinavian charm, Dagny has captivated audiences at major festivals like Lollapalooza and Glastonbury. After an impressive performance supporting Sting in Bedford Park last year, Dagny is back to deliver another unforgettable show.
The Mercians, an indie sensation from the Midlands, have quickly risen to fame in the UK music scene. In just two years, they’ve played iconic venues such as O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and O2 Institute Birmingham, and headlined a sold-out show at O2 Academy Leicester. With over 1.1 million streams on Spotify and 1.5 million views on TikTok, their popularity is soaring. The Mercians’ gritty, relatable tracks have earned them three consecutive number-one hits on the alt iTunes charts, and they’re set to bring their electrifying energy to Bedford Park this summer.
Don’t miss this incredible lineup featuring Jess Glynne, Cian Ducrot, Dagny, and The Mercians on Sunday, 30 June at Bedford Park. It’s going to be a night of fantastic music and unforgettable moments!
Sting is bringing his My Songs World Tour to Bedford Park for a sensational outdoor show.
The rock icon will play on Saturday June 24. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 18 via bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Sting’s ‘My Songs’ concerts are an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
Following a sold out six-night residency at the London Palladium, My Songs was hailed “a masterclass” by The Times who said “Sting remains an undeniably skilled performer with a gold-plated back catalogue.”
A musical journey taking in hits like Fields of Gold, Shape of my Heart, Roxanne and Demolition Man, the concert was described as “a rare treat” by The Telegraph and saw Sting praised as “near peerless” by The Guardian with “sublime pop alchemy”. Fans can also expect to hear Englishman In New York, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Message In A Bottle and many more.
For more dates and information about Sting’s My Songs World Tour – visit sting.com
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Bedford Park Concerts 2023
Sting joins George Ezra as part of the ‘Bedford Park Concerts’ series of shows next summer. With three UK No.1 albums Wanted On Voyage (2014), Staying At Tamara’s (2018) and Gold Rush Kid (2022) under his belt, George Ezra has toured the world, toured it some more, then met himself coming back the other way. He’s felt the green, green grass under his feet and the blue, blue sky on his back. A traveller, an entertainer, he’s a man in pursuit of happiness, and of sharing that happiness. Other headline artists include Sister Sledge and The Jacksons.
Milton Keynes Theatre is delighted to announce its summer season of sensational entertainment!
Returning to the venue after a sell-out run in 2019 is the phenomenal Les Misérables, the musical often regarded as the most popular in the world. Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed production arrives in Milton Keynes on Tue 26 Apr for four weeks.
Northern Ballet share their take on the beloved literary classic The Great Gatsby from Tue 24 May, promising the most glamourous party in town.
From Mon 30 May, a whodunnit everyone can enjoy arrives fresh out the boardgame box and onto the stage. Cluedo is the new comedy thriller directed by Mark Bell, director of the award winning The Play That Goes Wrong, which will also be arriving in Milton Keynes on Mon 25 Jul.
Brining life and energy to the immortal songs of the late Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf is the rocking musical, Bat Out of Hell, from 14 June. With all the anthems you know and love, this show is set to be a crowd-pleaser for those inclined to rock ‘n’ roll.
From best-selling author David Walliams comes the Olivier nominated Billionaire Boy from Thu 30 Jun, a winner for the whole family!
Fancy yourself a decoder? Try to decipher the secrets, clues and riddles in The Da Vinci Code from Tue 12 Jul. The world premiere tour of the brand-new stage production stars Coronation Street’s Christopher Harper and Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Death in Paradise).
Take a chance on the ultimate feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! as it returns to Milton Keynes on Tue 2 Aug. Set on a Greek island paradise, this musical is a story of love, friendship and identity, cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. And from one musical legend to another, The Cher Show joins Milton Keynes Theatre from Tue 9 Aug. Get ready to Turn Back Time in this outrageous new musical directed by Arlene Phillips (Grease, Starlight Express) and choreographed by Strictly’s Oti Mabuse.
Willy Russell’s moving Liverpudlian tale, Blood Brothers, then takes to the stage from Tue 30 Aug. Few musicals have been received with such acclaim as this multi-award-winning production which surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End.
Milton Keynes will be screaming Go, Go, Go Joseph this September when the sensational new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Milton Keynes Theatre for two weeks. The family musical which opens on Mon 12 Sep stars Alexandra Burke as the Narrator and Jac Yarrowas Joseph.
Milton Keynes Theatre continues its outstanding programme of one night entertainment this season. The hilarious Menopause the Musical 2 comes to the theatre on Sat 11 Jun. Enjoy an evening with world famous football manager Harry Redknapp on Tue 28 Jun. Strictly professionals Anton & Giovanni team up for an evening of song and dance with their show, Him and Me. And the tribute shows are back! For Rod Stewart fans there’s Some Guys Have All The Luck on Sun 31 Jul, and celebrating the music of Tina Turner is What’s Love Got To Do With It on Sun 4 Sep.
