Celebrate MOBO events

In the lead up to the 17^th Annual MOBO Awards 2012 a week of exciting events held by Liverpool City Council and The MOBO Organisation was held. The fantastic festival consisted of four free events celebrating Britain’s diverse culture.  Industry insiders and experts from across the UK came to the city to showcase and inspire the local community in the lead up to the MOBO extravaganza.

The celebrations begun on Sunday 28^th September at Parr Street Studios were “Celebrate MOBO Industry Academy” was held. The event consisted of three panels of industry experts. Fashionistas such as Streetz Iz Watchin’s Vis and Lifestyle magazine’s Amanda Moss spoke at an I’m a Trendsetter panel before the likes of MOBO Online Editor Natalie Shaw and Jernice Easthope from BBC Vision discussed how to succeed in the industry. Music moguls such as Liverpool based singer/songwriter KOF, BBC Radio 1 & 1Xtra’s DJ Seani B, to name just a few, talked about breaking out into the industry. As the day drew to an end there were incredible acoustic performances from Liverpool’s most exciting upcoming talents: BBC Radio 1Xtra Sound of 2012’s KOF, MOBO Unsung 2012 Winner Esco Williams, home-grown talent Chelcee Grimes and The Voice UK’s Jay Norton. The day was both informative and entertaining and was enjoyed by many young people from the City and local by areas.

This was just the start of a whole range of amazing MOBO events as the following day, Monday 29^th September saw Liverpool cinema and art gallery FACT host “Celebrate MOBO Black Cinema”. The event saw the likes of established British actor Ashley Walter’s and Hollyoaks’ writer Maurice Bessman reflect on the growing diversity of the British Film Industry and Black Music scene as well as advising and inspiring the passionate audience. Yet again, this was another great opportunity for all those interested in the industry throughout the region.

Next, on Thursday 1^st November, MOBO, in partnership with the National Museum of Liverpool, presented a debate about Black Music. The event, hosted by Radio Merseyside Host and ex Hollyoaks’ star Phina Oruche, looked at Liverpool’s history of Black Music, the current successes and issues faced and ways forward. The star studded debate panel included Liverpool group The Real Thing’s Eddie Amoo, The Picket’s Phil Hayes, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target and Liverpool based artist KOF and it certainly was a heated debate!

Finally the week long festival ended with The 2ube , on Friday 2^nd November, hosted at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. The MOBO themed event saw the best local upcoming urban talent celebrated, as performances from KOF, Jay Alexander, Ady Suleiman and many more went down a storm with the excited crowd.

The Celebrate MOBO festival proved to be an educational, engaging and exciting week, creating opportunity for the local community to come together and celebrate the achievements in British Urban Culture as well as in local Liverpool talent. The events showcased and inspired in the areas of film, music and fashion. A huge thanks to MOBO organisers, Liverpool City Council and all the industry professionals and performers for putting on so many wonderful events. Undoubtedly the week was a huge success and was enjoyed by all!