Collusion Spoken Word Festival

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Collusion marks the start of AirDraft's epic journey travelling along the Regents Canal from Hackney Wick to King's Cross.

Collusion is an all-day festival, which showcases music, poetry, and other forms in a variety of styles. The event is free, and a local mental health charity, Mind in Hackney, will benefit from a % of the bar. 

Confirmed performances include: Shoreditch Knights, Amy Cutler and Antony John with more TBA. DJs/Vibe will be postpunk, Italodisco, house, electronica, interesting old school indie, maybe some goth, guitar things, odd bits of folk, good jazz, etc.

The capacity of the AirDraft is limited so we recommend getting down early as entry for performances will be on a first come, first served basis. The indoor and outside bars will be serving a range of organic and draft drinks with a BBQ & Meze menu by Slow Fire London from the kitchen.

What to expect

More than a festival, Collusion is a series of expected and unexpected events taking place in a beautiful canalside bar, which used to be a sausage factory. There will be fascinating chaos and comforting sounds. Bubbles and facepainting may or may not feature; likewise, knitting might happen (or, might not). Expect improvised words, improvised music, peculiar sounds, angular poetry, unmusical music, programmed sound and text, things going whoop, people shouting, groups of people singing, popping noises, some humming, and perhaps the occasional outburst of laughter or sighing. This is a free event, but we will be donating money to https://www.mindinhackney.org.uk/, and we will encourage our guests to make a donation on the day.

How it works

Collusion showcases written, spoken, plucked, hummed, beaten, blown, and programmed words and music. The event provides a space for the convergence of artists from a variety of forms, backgrounds, and traditions. It showcases edgy, innovative, experimental, and other forms, and is an entirely inclusive event. Collusion creates, foregrounds, and celebrates participation between artists and others. All colluders are welcome.

This event is part of the AirDraft Festival, a programme of events curated by Thomas Randall-Page and Benedetta Rogers as part of their winning 2018 Antepavilion commissionn.