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Forest City tunes up for Jack Richardson London Music Week
By AM980 Staff
AM980 London
Posted April 3, 2017 4:56 pm EST
2 min read
This article is more than 7 years old and some information may not be up to date.
Money raised from the benefit will go toward the Canadian Red Cross with the aim of helping those affected by the early August blast in Lebanon's capital.
Global News File
A variety of music will fill the air in London, Ont., this week as the Jack Richardson London Music Week returns for another year.
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“[It’s] eight days showcasing more bands [and genres] than you can shake a stick at,” Mario Circelli, founder and chair of the Jack Richardson London Music Awards, said. “It’s just a celebration of music made by Londoners.”
According to Circelli, over two dozen events will be taking place until April 9.
“London Crawling is on Wednesday,” Circelli said. “One night [from 7 p.m. till midnight featuring] 17 bands [and] eight downtown venues and no cover charge.”
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Circelli stated that the event is grateful for the support from organizations such as Downtown London, London Arts Council, Tourism London and the London Music Office.
In addition to support from organizations and sponsors, he says the music scene has been big on female singers and songwriters.
“It is almost an embarrassment of riches,” Circelli said. “These women are doing their own thing and performing their own music and it seems like there is a critical mass in that area right now.”
According to Circelli, the city has seen an explosion in hip-hop and country artists with the rock and punk scene alive and well in the community.
One highlight on his list is electronic music’s John Acquaviva.
“[He’s] really the godfather of electronic,” Circelli said. “He cut his teeth in London from the early to mid-’80s putting on house shows and [eventually] clubs, but this guys has gone on to worldwide acclaim.”
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To cap off the festivities, the London Music Hall will host the annual awards gala on Sunday evening.
“It’s an all-ages event so [children] are welcome,” Circelli said. “It’s a Juno or Grammy-style program and we have a number of performers.”
According to Circelli, it is very important to showcase and recognize the world-class talent that London has in its backyard.