Amazing vibes and inspiring performances from everyone involved, Mr Elephant is full of good vibes after last night.

Massive love, props and gratitude to all who bought the vibes and all who made it happen.

Together we raised just over £300 for Haiti, and created a night we wont forget.

Here’s a little video of some footage of a few of the artists caught on camera last night, until the “proper” footage shot by our man Jack, gets edited together.

(There’s also proper photos coming from Emily)

Mr Elephant Presents “Live & Free Haiti Fundraiser” – Friday 26th Feb @ Adam & Eve – FREE ENTRY til 4am

Its one month ago today that Haiti was struck by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake. Obviously a collossol disaster with 200,000 killed, 1 million homeless, huge international response…everyone is aware of the details.

Something that the quake has thrown up is that there is an urgent need, now moreso than ever, to address the fact that Haiti as one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries is in a very vunerable position.

The long history of oppression by dictators has markedly affected the nation and so as well as provding aid, we must also work towards enabling the people to create a sustainable infrastructure that isnt at the mercy of big businesses or powerful governments, like many previous reconstruction attempts have been (and shown).

Haiti needs rebuilding from the ground up and local economies need to be built in small towns and villages. Local people need to be trained and equipped with skills so that the economy can be built from the ground up, and not the top down.

herefore for this fundraiser, we are looking at 2 (Now 3) organisations, who are setting up long term solutions – http://www.earthship.org/haiti-disaster-relief & http://www.haitifoundation.org/ If you can suggest any other options please feel free to let us know. (UPDATE : We have emailed earthship to define their position, as we werent clear on exactly how the money would be used & are looking at http://www.standwithhaiti.org/haiti as an alternative)

This is a totally free event and on til 4am. Musicans and Djs from Birmingham & Bristol are coming together to produce a quality line up. All costs of the gig will be covered before the event, so that 100% of donations can go directly to two organisations

There are more artists being added to all the time, and the set times and more info will follow next week, but here are the confirmed artists so far.
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DUB MAFIA (Live jazzy drum n bass & dub) – http://www.myspace.com/officialdubmafia

Coming all the way from Bristol, and with one of the most played videos on youtube, this band features seriously talented Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Turntable, Percussion, Saxophone, musician and are set for very big things. Possibly the only chance to see them (for free) in Birmingham before they go on their big festival tour in the summer.

THE HIDDEN HALF (Flamenco Fusion) - http://www.myspace.com/thehiddenhalf

World fusion at its finest, with spanish guitar, latin percussion, and 2 vocalists. The Hidden Half always go down a storm at our Live and Free Events. Check our website for past videos

EVA LAZARUS (Acoustic and vocal) – http://www.myspace.com/evalazarus
Making a huge storm in Bristol, the vocals are quite simply jaw dropping. Another artist you may be more aware of via a you tube vid that went viral, this exclusive solo performance is going to be something very special.

GARY WILLIAMS (Special Live Acoustic Looping) – http://www.myspace.com/garywilliams74

A legend on the live scene in brum and the man behind many bands from Dr Dan Blues remedy to the ever impressive Playing Django. If you are in anyway interested in guitar or musicianship then very special live looping performance will be a treat.

SMILEY MIC – www.smileymic.co.uk

Another live looping performance but this time in a very different one man band style with human beatbox, acoustic guitar, vox & xylophone. Smiley mic has rocked two of our previous Mr Elephant events and recently supported De La Soul, so if you havent check him out yet, get there early as he’s opening the live sets, and you prob wont have heard anything quite like him before.

GEORDIE BLAKE (Shana Tova) – http://www.myspace.com/shanatova

Inspiring singer, guitarist & part of some of Brums finest bands over the last ten years from the Starries to Baxter, this guy made his solo debut last year at our 4th Live & Free and was literally that good, he caused 2 reviews to be written the very next morning! Another probable early performance as he has two gigs on that night.

JODI ANN BICKLEY – http://www.myspace.com/onenoneblonde

A poet that is making big waves in brum and london at the mo, witty, honest and charming poetry delivered with personality. Just back from a string of special performances in London don’t miss this.

SKELETON (The Beat Suite/Trigger/Mr Elephant) – http://www.rhubarbradio.com/programmes/beatsuite/

Host of the Beat Suite, Resident at Trigger and here at Mr Elephant, Kipp is one of the most versatile and talented djs. We couldnt find any video footage of the turntablist style he’ll be playing on the night, but you can rest assured you’ll be treated to a very special scratch set from one of the city’s best djs.

JAM JAH (Robin G) – http://www.friendlyfiremusic.com/

We’ve said it time and time again, but Jam Jah sound is something to beholden in Birmingham, and is why we at Mr Elephant never fail to get them playing wherever possible. Legends. (Again this footage doesnt do them justice, but gives an idea of the sound at the start of the vid)

JIBBERING (Tangawizi) – http://www.jibbering.com

Jibbering for over 10 years have been bringing bands to Birmingham, the majority of which have gone on to be huge. Tastemakers in their own right with each core member a dj and blatant music devotee, so any opportunity to hear their record collections is always a treat. Tangawizi has a huge spectrum of music and while the vid below is all we could find at the mo, expect funk, soul, reggae, hip hop and maybe even some more underground bizness as he surfs the decks with Jam Jah til 4am.

Vj BLENDSTATE – http://www.blendstate.com

A huge part of Mr Elephant ever since the 2nd event where he bought the indymedia films for the chillout room. Now one of the leading vj in Birmingham3 years later, and a promoter in his own right, with his own cinephonic event going from strength to strength and his managing of the party rockin mammal sessions over the last 6 months. Footage adorns many mr elephant videos, but this is one that doesnt get seen regularly, with soundtrack from another bristol guest from our 2nd birthday mr dub fx.

VENUE – http://www.theadam.co.uk
Located on the 50 route at the top of bradford street, in Digbeth, and a short walk from the city centre, the venue has been putting on music events every week for years. A place to chill and chat, as much as it is to see quality local and international bands and / or dance til 4am. There’s a cool heated smoking area, pool table and chilling areas, quality bar and proper friendly staff, great in house engineer and just they’ve spent loads on new bassbins, so expect the sound to be even bigger and crisper than every before.
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Final note. (Sorry this has been such a loooong event page!)

We moved this event to a Friday as there as there is another haiti fundraiser on from subvert on the Saturday. As we normally do Saturday - http://www.mrelephant.com/category/events/live-and-free we were a little aprehensive, so if you can help spread the word in anyway it’ll make a big difference and be very much appreciated by all involved.

Obviously everyone is coming together to put on a great free night in the hope to raise money, but also we hope will appeal to a wide range of tastes and make for a proper memorable one, so if you’re in birmingham, and can drop by for a beer, drop a few quid into the donation buckets etc, it should hopefully be another night to remember….and raise plenty of cash for where its needed.

Facebook event page is here – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=479592425470&ref=ts

Mr Elephant favourites Munchbreak, (this time with multi genre skills of Home Cooking djs) & the mighty Jam Jah once again showed us why Birmingham is packed full of flavour with 2 inspiring live performances and 4 dj sets which kept our last live and free event of 2009 nice and toasty all the way until the 4am close.

Here’s a little video of part one of Munchbreak where they took us back to their seminal jam session days.

Despite being probably the wettest, coldest night we’ve had thus far, nothing seem to hinder a whole pub full of revellers. Robin from Jam Jah kicked things off with their unique blend of roots, reggae, and dancehall.

Followed by some choice genre hopping funk style crowd pleasing cuts from Maxwell from Home Cooking

Then it was time for the headline live act of the night in the first of two sets. First the Jam session you can see above, and then their full live set. Here’s a little more footage this time from their 2nd set.

and if you want more, do go check out their album. It’s well recommended

P.s there are more photos here and our mr elephant facebook group is here.

Rich Batsford’s 40th Birthday / Free Control – 1st B’ham Date / Mark Smallman / Dj Chromatouch

For this month’s Live and Free at the Adam and Eve we saw a very special concert with two of the finest midlands artists, a great chillout dj and a some special guests

Rich Batsford celebrated his 40th Birthday as well as his debut UK album and album relase and peformed a great crowd pleasing set with some new material and 2 special guests. Great talent and brilliant audience rapport. If you havent already head on to his website and get yourself a copy of Valentine Court. You wont be disappointed.

Free Control were up next with their first Birmingham appearance, and they were quite simply awe inspiring. The room was packed with people and like most mr elephant gigs, there was a wide range of people. Aside from the roaring response during their set, they also were congratulated by so many people throughout the night, they are already wanting to come back. Big shouts also to some truly inspired live visuals from The Lab (as he’s the resident visual maestro with Free Control, and their very cool management.

On the decks this month there were 3 great sets from Mr Elephant regulars. Mark Smallman, Vj Chromatouch and our resident Marc Reck. The room was still dancing at closing time, but despite the clocks going back we didnt get an extra hour.

Next month we are well excited to be welcoming the return of Munch Break and their home cooking djs back and Mr Elephant favourites Jam Jah will also be returning.

This month we are very excited to be welcoming a tasty funk and reggae casserole from our city’s favourite chefs!

If your on facebook here’s the invite page – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=148068927896&index=1

Headliners of our first Live & Free, the fabulous Munchbreak are back!

They truly rocked it last time so we well pleased they’ll be back (if you missed you can hear some on the radio show, or check the vids from the last event)

Home Cooking is amongst others Munchbreak on the decks – real turntablists with a classic selection of funky hip hop, classic funk, and proper ass shaking grooves. As the rest of the band are there – expect some live jamming action similar to that of the classic sessions they used to pioneer in Moseley and the weekly Home Cooking sessions they fill the yardbird with each month.

Jam Jah – If you know Mr Elephant, you must know jam jah by now. If you like reggae or dancing or just pure uplifting vibes Jam Jah are serious delivery men. They rock crowds from whole tents at shambala to their weekly parties at the bulls head and of course their hugely respected monthly events at the hare and hounds which have bought so many great names in roots and reggae to our city. They also release great music with their live bands and talented artist roster and to be fair are just simply, brilliant. They can rock it with roots, ramp it up with jungle and chill it out with dub. Great men on a musical mission with music that truly inspires.

All of this is FREE and is on til 4am with all the usual venue treats like pool table, nice drinks, friendly staff, and nice smoking area and really cool late night vibes.

Another free live music party at the legendary Adam and Eve with the Foot Stomping raucousness of FLAT STANLEY, the truly beautiful sounds of LAURA LOUISE & dancing all night long from THE OTHER WOMAN CLUB DJS!

Following last months foot stomping Live & Free with Mama Matrix and Laura Louise, we welcomed another band who are no stranger to kicking up a storm and have been playing many of this years summer festivals with a great set of talented musicians going by the name of Flat Stanley. Psychedlic foot stomping blues rock is how they term themselves and was an apt description as they tore through a great set

If you’ve not heard of them, please check out their myspace for their next gig. They’ve supported major artists like The Levellers, Ozric Tenticles the mighty Hawkwind and and as Mark Radcliffe put it “dreadlocks and didgeridoos, o yes have it”

Our other live guest – Laura Louise – needs no introduction. Spell binding performances at Moseley Folk festival and our last live and free mean we just had to ask her back. She  performed a beautiful set and were looking forward to her return with some new material next year.

Here’s a little video we hashed together, though our man with the cam Jack Brabant was there and will uploading a much superior version from his footage very soon.

In between and til 4am we enjoy the sounds of Cassie from the Other Womans club djs, who is a supremely talented dj, has residencies all over the city, and had the place dancing all the way til 4am. In fact she was that good she got offered a residency at the adam

Next Live and Free is on Sat 26th Oct with Free Control Rich Batsford and some very special guests. As always its free entry all night (9pm til 4am) and the venue hosts a great soundsystem, smoking area, pool table and very cool bar and security staff, which makes for real nice vibe.

Some footage from our two special live guests Laura Louise & Mama Matrix

Its almost time for 2 of our favourite festivals – Shambala 27/8, & the ever excellent Moseley Folk Festival, 6/9, so this month we’ve got 3 of our Mr Elephant favourites up at our 5th Live & Free event @ the Adam & Eve.

For anyone thats on facebook btw, here’s the event page if you fancy attending – http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113729352527

Mama Matrix who have performed at our 1st Birthday, & the gigbeth Fringe event with CiD Music, and Laura Louise who also blew people’s minds at our 2nd Birthday will be appearing on Saturday 22nd August 2009 @ the Adam & Eve in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Mama Matrix really need no introduction and are quite simply one of the best bands in Birmingham. Their performances leave no-one sitting, and everyone excited. They have a new website, and you can hear some of their music on the myspace. – http://www.myspace.com/mamamatrix

Here’s a little video  from the Cid music gig

Mama Matrix ‘Panic Attack’ from CiD Music

and one from Shambala

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jyv7ZoDFqQ

And of course the inspirational Laura Louise from New Zealand. Sublime Vocals, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Live Looping, beatbox (and even a little flute box) she’s a real joy to see.

you can check her tracks on her http://www.myspace.com/lauralouiseowen

Here’s a little footage from Ben Calvert’s great monthly Bohemian Jukebox Acoustic sessions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21o5sYLuVCM

and there’s a little footage of Laura from our 2nd Birthday on this video by Jack Brabant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27YmqvX7QR4

And our favourite Birmingham Reggae Collective, the mighty Jam Jah Sound, who’ve been rocking Mr Elephant birthday’s ever since our debut event back in March 2007, and who will be hosting their tent at this year Shambhala Festival will be once again hosting the decks with their always crowd pleasing blend of roots, reggae, and dancehall -

http://www.friendlyfiremusic.com/

alongside our resident Marc Reck – http:/www.marcreck.com with his crowd pleasing dynamic mix of Balkan, Swing, Funk, (and of course some breaks for birthday boy Big John and hopefully one of our resident vjs on the light fantastic

As always its FREE entry til 4am.