Pubdate: Mon, 23 Feb 2004
Source: Bath Chronicle, The (UK)
Copyright: 2004 The Bath Chronicle.
Contact:  http://www.thisisbath.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2700
Note: LTEs must include the writer's full name and address, which will be 
published unless specified. If referring to a letter or article, please 
state the date it appeared in the paper.

ANTI-DRUG DJ BATTLES FOR OPENING SLOT AT GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

A Bath DJ who is helping in the war on drug abuse has a chance of playing 
at the Glastonbury music festival this summer. Patrick Morrison has been 
shortlisted to fill the opening slot in the festival's dance tent. But 
first he has to win a battle of the bands at a Bristol nightspot.

The 21-year-old, who has been mixing music for seven years, will battle it 
out with 15 other up-and-coming DJs at The Level in a contest split between 
last night and next Sunday.

The competition has been organised in association with Frank - a national 
drugs awareness campaign, which aims to get people talking about drug issues.

Patrick is in the second year of a music course at City of Bath College and 
has a regular set at Bath's Moles club.

He also DJs at a regular session called Beat Pimps at city nightclub 
Babylon and has played to packed crowds at Bristol hotspot Creation.

He said: "The competition is a great opportunity for exposure for young 
DJs. It is also great for promoting the Frank campaign.

"It is good to know there are people out there willing to listen instead of 
just preach, which I think is a much more successful way of reaching young 
people.

"Glastonbury will be the biggest gig I have ever played."

To win the top prize of performing a set at Glastonbury, the hip hop DJ 
from Monkton Combe, will be judged on enthusiasm, crowd reaction, mixing 
quality and the records or CDs played.

A host of industry big guns will judge the competition, including Russell 
Deeks, editor of iDJ magazine, DJs Nick Warren, Miss Behavin, Daddy G and 
Sally Hudson from radio station Vibe 101 and Amanda Glyn from the 
Troubadour Club in London.

Darren Hall, regional advisor for the Government's South West Drugs Team, 
said DJs submitted a demo tape, CD or minidisc and answered five tie-break 
questions to progress in the contest.

Entries came from all over the south west, London and Wales and the 
standard was so high that organisers increased the number of finalists from 
six to nine people each night in the 18 to 25 category.

Mr Hall said: "Entrance to the club is free and everyone is invited to come 
along and voice their opinion and help us find some of the hottest talent 
in the west.

"This really is a terrific competition giving young people the opportunity 
to debut their talents in front of peers and members of the music industry.

"By using clubs and dance music we can reach young people in their own 
environments, and spread the Frank message. With the right information 
young people can make informed decisions and we can really tackle drugs in 
the south west."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom