Ahead of Detonate Festival on Saturday 4 June, we talk to the two biggest Notts-grown acts on the bill - Bru-C and Crazy P's Danielle Moore - about their weirdest festival experiences, dream collaborations and must-pack items...
What can we expect from your set at Detonate Festival?
Bru-C: I don't even know what to say...I’m just going to do what I always do and perform it to the best of my ability. But I feel like it's going to be a whole different energy, what to expect is what the festival goers bring from Nottingham and beyond - I know my people in my city are going to make that show so special, so we will see what happens!
Crazy P: Vibes, engagement, fun, energy! Our soundsystem sets consist of all things from the Crazy P camp. That's the umbrella. Hot Toddy remixes, Ron Basejam mixes and Crazy P. There'll be live vocals and keyboards with a sprinkling of sound effects, squelches and other technical noises.
Tell us about your weirdest ever festival moment.
Bru-C: It's got to be at the Balter Festival in Wales, which is like one of the oddest festivals ever, with the craziest people I've ever seen. Everyone is just covered in glitter, wearing trippy outfits and nobody sleeps or washes. There were loads of people sitting round in a circle, singing and playing on a little drum or guitar, then this little chavvy guy comes up with a fire extinguisher and soaks all of the people. It didn’t annoy me, it was just a funny experience.
Crazy P: It would probably be the time we were asked to play a festival in Genova, Italy, on New Year's Eve. It was the early days of the band and we were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to the point that we were incredibly vulnerable and hungry to please. We headed over with a team of friends to a very beautiful city, where we were invited to a government building for canapes and champagne amidst local dignitaries. I nervously proceeded to smash a few glasses. It started relatively well apart from that. The festival itself was set in various parts of the town centre and we found ourselves very much in a back street pocket, away from the main crowds. After we'd eaten we had to hang about for three hours in minus temperatures with no real toilet facilities and a lack of actually knowing what the hell was going on. My recollection (which I've tried to block out of my memory) was that we performed to about twenty people, two of our mates had a fight, and another went missing in action after being handed a bag of amphetamines. We were promised the world. We didn't want for much back then but relationships were tested that day!
Which acts are you most looking forward to playing alongside?
Bru-C: I would have to say Pa Salieu. That guy's a legend, man. I really rate what he's doing - African Rebel, Deffo Pa Salieu, big, big tunes.
Crazy P: O'Flynn and David Rodigan on this year's line up. I really appreciate their musical tastes. But festivals are always about seeing new acts. We will make a special effort to have a mooch.
If you could perform with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
Bru-C: I would love to perform with Lauryn Hill, she is an all time favourite. To make a song or to perform a song with her is on my bucket list.
Crazy P: Prince!
What item(s) can you not last a festival without, and why?
Bru-C: It has to be a no comment for this one... Use your imagination.
Crazy P: Water, clean underwear, toothbrush and toothpaste, wet wipes, painkillers. Water is the elixir of life, clean underwear is imperative to feeling like you've started a new day with a fresh outlook, clean teeth are a sign of respect for your fellow person, wet wipes are vital for essential combat washes and painkillers are there for any accidental over-indulgences.
Favourite Detonate set of all time?
Bru-C: When I went to Detonate at Stealth around my eighteenth birthday and Goldie & Plastician played. I remember it well as it was one of my first proper raves and it's mad how man's now headlining the show. Listen, I'm bringing all that energy, I've been raving in Nottingham for a decade, I've been to so many Detonate Festivals - Detonate is one of the reasons I do what I do, I’m massively inspired by the whole movement. Nothing but love for what they've done for the city and I cannot wait for the show.
Crazy P: The truth is I've never had the good fortune of attending myself, but Jim (my bandmate) has assured me that when he played the festival back in 2018 he had a great time… I'm looking forward to experiencing everything with virgin Detonate eyes and ears!
Check out the full Detonate Festival line-up and book your tickets via the Detonate Festival website
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