News / Follow up famine fundraiser planned
A FOLLOW up charity concert is being discussed after more than £1,200 was raised for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) to help people suffering from the famine in East Africa from a Shetland Aid gig on Sunday afternoon.
Music promoters Jeff Merrifield and Brian Nicolson had joined forces to bring together a selection of bands and artists to present a five hour long charity concert in Room 16 at Lerwick’s Islesburgh Community Centre.
Between 70 and 100 people ignored the blazing sunshine outside and supported a concert described as “five solid hours of fabulous music”.
Performers included Donald Anderson and Alan McKay, Brian Nicholson and Da Hot Club da Fladdabister, the Sheila Henderson Group, Abominable Showmen and the Corby Boys, Norman Willmore, the Comet Conspiracy Girls, First Foot Soldiers and Organised Chaos.
Meanwhile Shetland drum combo Aestaewast headed by Joy Duncan brought Africa into the room with some formidable drumming, singing and dancing.
Organiser Jeff Merrifield said: “The term “organised chaos” summed it up. Brian and I were running around to make sure the members of a band were with us at required times, trying to form some sort of running order, and that equipment worked.
“But in the end it didn’t matter. This was a gig just to sit back and enjoy – five solid hours of fabulous music – and an audience that sat there and enjoyed anything we could put on for them.”
He added that there was already talk of a “better and bigger” charity gig at some stage in winter.
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