Jimmy Lee chats about organising this month's Dance Crusade Festival; what you can expect, and the fact that it takes a little more than an idea to get the ball rolling.
The Dance Crusade Festival hits Essex this month, and has had Jimmy Lee and Jon Slater rather busy over the last two years. Luckily for us Jimmy's taken some time out to answer a few questions. If you thought planning was an essential part of your dinner party, imagine taking on a festival. Jimmy's list of things to do has been endless, and I imagine a little more pressing than buying serviettes. Having been to his fair share of festivals and finding himself in the organiser's shoes for the first time, “hats off” he says, it's not as easy as it looks.
Taking on Dance Crusade all boils down to education. Jimmy fears for the lads and lasses of Essex, and their musical well-being. Having been brought up on a formulae of RnB, commercial hits and club chart kings, quality house and techno have been sorely neglected. To gain any form of this pleasantry, it costs them a substantial amount of moolah to get to London. Early bird tickets are sold out and this is proof of, as Jimmy puts it, “the need for an event of this style in the area”. It wouldn't surprise him if this event sells out. So purchasing procrastination is probably a bad idea.
Planning a dance music festival is stressful (obviously) and at times, “unbearable”. But through planning and running smaller scale 1,000 capacity events, they've been able to cycle with stabilisers. Now it's time to set out on the BMX. Jimmy says that “after seeing tickets fly out” in response to having heavyweights like the Gallery and Hed Kandi on board, it will all be worth it. Nerves are quickly switching to excitement as D-Day creeps closer. Venue-wise, the Orsett Showground “is a field – there's not much you can say about it”. But you'll also find “tented arenas that you would expect at any major festival, alongside a no-expenses-spared sound and visual delight. Everyone will be more than impressed, it's not a DJ playing off the back of a lorry”! Well that's very nice.
The VIP section even includes dodgems. Why dodgems, you ask? Well, according to Jimmy they're “a must. Everyone loves a go, don't they?!” Uh, yes. They most certainly do. If you're struggling to decide whether to pleb it or run for the red carpet, apparently “no matter what you decide to experience, you'll have a great time”. He does add that the VIP package “is great value for money; bottle of Moet, private cocktail bar, red carpet entrance and no queuing”. And dodgems.
When it comes to must-see arenas, Jimmy answers with ease, “I think the words 'Gallery' and 'Hed Kandi' speak for themselves. Possibly the two biggest clubbing brands in this country, even the world.” When asked about dance music in general, fact: “Dance music will never die”. He goes on to say that at the moment, global DJs and brands are teaming up with RnB folk, and with the little commercial push are consistently hitting UK Top 10. Good or bad? Jimmy warns that it could get him talking forever, so he's “just going to keep quiet and let people decide for themselves”. Fair enough Jimmy.
Jimmy Lee and Jon Slater seem to be pulling out all the stops and the sensation of being part of something new and inspired must be incomparable. Jimmy Lee's festival advice; “turn up, dance your ass off and be proud to say you were at the very first Dance Crusade”. Crusades are supposed to be made in favour of a noble cause, and in this case, it's great dance music. Crusades also usually end in failure or success, and by the sounds of things this one is leaning strongly towards the latter.
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Image courtesy of AleReportage.
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