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And Finally Artist News Gigs & Festivals
Three hour Comic Relief rave to broadcast from Royal Albert Hall this Friday
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 17 March 2021
A three hour rave is taking place at the Royal Albert Hall this Friday and you’re all invited! Not really, of course. That’s a joke. Not about the rave – that’s true – but you can’t go to it. Not least because it’s already been filmed, ready for broadcast online so that you can enjoy it from home.
It’s all in aid of Comic Relief. Hence the joke. The hilarious joke about how we’ve all been stuck indoors for a year. Ha. Ha. Ha.
The Comic Relief Rave is being hosted by Gok Wan and Glitterbox, and will take place directly after this year’s BBC One Red Nose Day telethon in aid of the charity. It’ll feature sets from DJs Melvo Baptiste and The Shapeshifters, and singer Teni Tinks. The event is inspired by Wan’s own Isolation Nation and Defected offshoot Glitterbox’s virtual parties.
“I’m so excited to be hosting the first ever Red Nose Rave after party”, says Wan. “I have been a huge supporter of Comic Relief for over ten years now and wanted to do something special for 2021. It’s been a difficult year for so many people and despite all the restrictions, we didn’t want it stopping us from coming together and having a fantastic time while supporting a great cause. It’s an excuse to get dressed up – or down – listen to some good music, and have a good old dance at home, because let’s face it, we all need a bit of fun”.
“I started these raves in my kitchen during the first lockdown because of the impact it was having on all of us”, he says. “I wanted to create a space where we could all have some fun, let our hair down and also create a sense of community. We hope to be able to bring our Isolation Nation sessions on the road as soon as we can, but in the meantime, we can all turn our kitchens, living rooms or bedrooms into the most exclusive nightclubs on the street on 19 Mar”.
Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis adds: “It is very exciting that we can all continue our Red Nose Day celebrations long into the night. Gok and Glitterbox, thank you so much for bringing us our first ever virtual rave. What I love most about Gok’s kitchen raves is that they have provided a form of escapism that I think we have all needed at times. And a real sense of togetherness. It’s a guaranteed night of entertainment with Gok leading the charge, and any donations made will support so many important causes, both here at home and around the world”.
The rave will stream for free from 11.30pm on Friday night on the Comic Relief, Defected and Gok Wan Facebook Live and YouTube channels. Access is free, but obviously you’re encouraged to donate some money to Comic Relief while you dance. There’s more info on what else is on as part of Red Nose Day this year and how to donate here.
