Arts / Funk and jazz on the menu as bands to head north for April gigs
JAZZ and funk fans are set to be in for a treat in April when two bands head to Shetland for a weekend of gigs.
The Bop Shop is bringing funksters Federation of the Disco Pimp back to Shetland for a gig at the Lerwick Legion on Saturday 11 April.
The nine-piece group – once billed as the “the best backing band James Brown never had” – are heading back to Shetland after performing a few times in the 2010s.
Meanwhile the Bop Shop is also hosting Mama Terra in the Mareel auditorium on Friday 10 April in conjunction with Shetland Arts.
The band – which shares some members with Federation of the Disco Pimp and are also based in Scotland – are an eight-piece jazz-soul ensemble influenced by acts such as John and Alice Coltrane, Miles Davis and Erykah Badu.
“We are absolutely buzzing to have two such highly regarded bands from the mainland heading to Shetland for these gigs in April,” Bop Shop committee member Yetti said.
“It’s no mean feat to bring up bands with this many members but we feel it will be worth the effort for the quality of gigs we’re planning.
“Federation of the Disco Pimp have put on some amazing performances in Shetland in the past, while Mama Terra will bring something a bit different to Mareel the night before. There will be something for everyone.”
She added that the “Shetland music gigging scene is thriving, which is fantastic, but with these gigs we wanted to try something a little different to what we generally get here”.
Support at the Mama Terra event – which is seated – will come from local jazz musician Norman Willmore, while Bop Shop DJs will be performing in Mareel’s cafe/bar afterwards.
Warming up for Federation of the Disco Pimp at the Legion gig will heavy blues groove act Black 8s, with sets from the Bop Shop DJs planned too.
Tickets are available online now for the Mama Terra and Federation of the Disco Pimp gigs.
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