WSTRN perform at Student Union for See My World Festival
- WSTRN headlined at the See My World festival held at the MMU student union
- The festival celebrated first Pan-African congress in 1945
- Artists included Dreya Mac, Simi, July 7 and Ebbii
- Talks and workshops honoured Black diaspora
West London R&B group WSTRN headlined at the See My World festival on October 23 celebrating the UK’s African and Caribbean diaspora.
Approximately 50 thousand people attended the festival which lasted until 3 a.m.
See My World 2021 celebrated the first Pan-African congress in 1945, curated for the younger generation with the aim to celebrate Black culture.
The event was hosted by DJ Darka and DJ Tillz at the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Student Union, with live performances by Dreya Mac, July 7, Ebii and Simi.
DJ sets were performed by Juls, Star.One, G2, DJ Dark and DJ Silva, some of which revisited urban UK Garage classics such as Things we do for love by Sticky feat. Kele Le Roc, as well as playing a mixture of current songs.
The main performance took to the stage last with WSTRN’s Louis Rei, Akelle Charles and Haile.
Louis and Haile started the performance with the 2019 hit ‘Medusa’, later joined on stage by group member Akelle.
Their set included popular songs Txtin’, Maggie and Stardawg, Ben’ Ova, Be my guest, Mama Stay and the group’s debut single In2.
Dreya Mac, also from West London performed a mix of Rap and Afro Beats, showcasing her versatility with songs On my way, Summer 21 and Let Me Take My Time.
Local talent took to the stage with singer July 7 who was born in Old, Trafford Manchester and R&B singer Simi who was the opening act of the night.
Along with music performances, the See My World festival – from October 17-24, also held various workshops and discussions with a number of speakers, including Prof. Hakim Adi who recited a speech inspired by the fifth Pan-African Congress.
Mary Gabriel’s art exhibition ‘Power Revealed’, was another highlight of the festival, presented by The Chuck gallery which promotes African art in Manchester.
See My World state on their website that Gabriel wants to ‘pass a message to the world’ through her platform.
Grabriel said: “Celebrate and honor the ladies in your life, be it mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, even your female friends, they are all unique individuals.”
She graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka Nigeria, studying Social Works and Community Development.
EVENT: See My World Festival 17-24 OCT 2022 – series of multicultural, multi-lingual, intergenerational inclusive events, reflecting the aspirations of Manchester’s Pan-African community and that of the region #BPMNetwork #BHM2021 https://t.co/SVu5p53BaO pic.twitter.com/N3o1QU7fgm
— Ed Matthews-Gentle FRSA (@edmg68) October 14, 2021
This Pan-African festival in Manchester conveys the effort to inspire the creation of a movement that promotes and encourages self-determination and self-realisation of the UK’s African and Caribbean diaspora.
The festival involves the education, promotion and celebration of Pan-African Arts, Culture and Being, which can be attended face to face and online.
Including the voices of Joanna Jarjue, Dr. Erinma Bell, Dr. Marilyn Comrie, and Cheryl Martin, who all took part in the Pan-African Women’s Panel.
Incorporating debates, forums, seminars, exhibitions and performances, the festival’s aim is to enlighten and develop the establishment of emerging and established cultural practices of the African and Caribbean diaspora of the world.
Find out more on the See My World website.