An Impression of the More Life 2016 Festival at O2 Academy Brixton with Tarrus Riley, Dean Fraser & Blak Soil Band, Agent Sasco aka Assassin and Spice.

The sixth annual More Life festival hosted by Flames radio at O2 Brixton Academy was the perfect way to say bye to April and hello to May.

The diverse line up drew ‘rootsy’ reggae and ‘tun up’ dancehall lovers alike, the energy was high as fans waited to see the self-titled Queen of Stage Spice, Singy Singy Tarrus Riley and the gravelly voiced Agent Sasco.

Metro Media set the scene with an array of dub plates and visual theatrics courtesy of Sky juices Belly dancing. All 3 of the main artists did not disappoint. Spice enticed the male crowd (naturally) with her and her dancers on stage acrobatics and ladies were encouraged to empower themselves. Tarrus Riley’s performance saw him take time out to honour his recently deceased legend father Teddy Riley and of course he reminded every woman in the place that are Royal. Agent Sasco consumed the venue with his politically charged and vibrant new material. Mighty Crown graced the stage with energies that resonated ‘More Life.’

The top three highlights of that night would definitely be the unexpected Duet by Tarrus and Assasin, Spice’s Cover to Adele with a telephone prop and last but not least Sky Juice’s topless belly dance. After leaving with endless memories and memory card full with photographs, I honestly cannot wait until More Life 2017.

Pictures and text by Nelle Veesion.