ONE OF Reading’s most historic venues is set to host an evening of world music next month, featuring home-grown performers as well as international artists, in aid of charity.
Reading World Music Festival will bring three acts celebrating global culture to the Minster in the town centre in the first of a potentially annual event.
Limpopo Groove will headline with their brand of upbeat afro-fusion, inspired by the African homeland of founder Tomson Chauke, Chiredzi, Zimbabwe.
The group mixes lyrics in English and in Shona, infusing African influences with jazz and European music sensibilities, and is named after the Limpopo river, which crosses the borders of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.
They’ll be joined by Julia, also known as Ma Bessie, who celebrates the music of Bessie Smith and her contemporaries.
She counts classics such as Hound Dog, Ain’t Nobody’s Business, Summertime, Sugar in my Bowl, and Careless Love among her blues and jazz repertoire, while also bringing reggae influences and original material.
Peter Doyle rounds out the line-up, better known as The Live Looper for his work with looping pedals and music which builds upon repeated motifs.
Doyle has graced the stage at Glastonbury Festival as well as those closer to home, such as Reading Fringe Festival, Are You Listening Festival, WaterFest, and Down at the Abbey Festival.
The event will raise funds for Refugee Support Group, which provides advice, mental health support, social opportunities, and practical help for refugees in the town.
The charity was bestowed the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2019, the highest honour which can be given to voluntary groups in the UK.
RSG marks its 30th year this year, having helped refugees from more than 50 countries since its founding in 1994.
Tickets are available via: refugeesupportgroup.org.uk/reading-world-music-festival/
More details about the charity are available via: refugeesupportgroup.org.uk
