A History of Pirate Radio: The Jazz Cafe announces June residency

Deeply rooted in the story of underground culture, past and present, the iconic venue will showcase a programme of pivoting artists emerging from the golden era of modern music. Each week centres around the evolution of four trailblazing genres, with both live performances and DJ sets from the era’s finest exports.

On Friday 7th June, the godfather of jungle music Roni Size meets the Metalheadz boss lady DJ Storm in an unmissable match-up. Size’s pirate radio appearances date all the way back to 1993 and beyond on stations like Bristol’s Raw 101.1 FM. Known by many as the ‘first lady of drum & bass’, Storm is recognised as one of the most influential women in the scene. Expect an extensive catalogue of DnB and Jungle records – old and new.

Dive into the sounds of UKG on Friday 14th June with an esteemed trio – DJ Spoony, Wookie and Lady Passion. Born in Hackney, the epicentre of East London culture, Spoony began his career on stations such as London Underground. Wookie earned his status as UKG hero with an impressive record working with some of the greatest names in the scene. Representing South London’s electronic scene, Lady Passion takes to the decks with her collection of exciting Garage tracks.

The series wouldn’t be complete without paying homage to Grime and Dubstep icons. On Friday 21st June, a line up of huge names including Slimzee & Flowdan, Coki and Loefah will take over the intimate venue. Powerful duo, Slimzee, the co-founder of Rinse FM and Flowdan, leading Grime pioneer, join up for a performance like no other. DJ and Producer Coki, alongside Loefah, named one of Dubstep first founders, will also head up the night.

Moving into the grooves of UK Funky for the final instalment of the series, Crazy Cousinz, Roska, and Cooly G join The Jazz Cafe on Friday 28th June. Famed for Drake’s sampling of his remix one “One Dance”, which reached number one in the charts for 15 weeks, Cousinz has led the way for the genre from the early stages of his career. UK Dance icon Roska will be completing the lineup is multi talented singer, rapper, DJ and Producer Cooly G.

Since its origins in 1990, The Jazz Cafe has been home to some of the UK’s most groundbreaking performances from up-and-coming talent, now legends in their own right with the likes of Wookie, Ray Keith, Skepta, and Roy Davis Jr playing throughout the decades. Today, the venue continues to showcase the next wave of emerging talent, alongside appearances from established artists from around the globe.

Simultaneously, the 20th-century pirate radio phenomenon, at its glorious peak during the 90s, also forged a platform for artists paving their own way against the mainstream. Well loved stations of today, such as Rinse FM, Kool FM and Eruption FM, began underground, transmitting unheard records to thousands of listeners across London and the UK.

Join The Jazz Cafe in honouring three decades of pirate radio’s innovative place in modern musical history. For the full 2024 calendar, tickets and restaurant bookings, please visit: https://thejazzcafelondon.com/whats-on/ 

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