Anniversary Performance: Pandemonium Drum Works at Open East
Exactly one year after the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony, we returned to the Olympic Park for the Open East Festival and joined forces with another drum group: Barbican's Drum Works, an enthusiastic ensemble of young people from East London's schools.
To celebrate the occasion, we emerged near the Velodrome in our iconic Blue Lightbulb Bowler outfits and formed a procession over the park's North Bridge, occasionally stopping on the way for some advanced drumming action.
With a giant inflatable Stone Henge bouncy castle as backdrop, a drumming stand-off started, when the Drum Works group approached from the south area of the park.
We started to synchronise our rhythms and welcomed Drum Works in our middle, flanking them on both sides, and suddenly started a joint performance of under the leadership of Drum Works.
We only had one morning to learn various high-energy grooves influenced by grime, hip hop, funk, rock and dancehall, but we rose to the task - a testament of the flexibility, adaptability and talent of our drummers.
The result was a spectacular and powerful drumming performance that was well received by public and performers alike.
A fantastically fun way to celebrate 'our' anniversary and to demonstrate that we are not a one-trick pony.
Massive thanks to Drum Works for partnering up with us and teaching us new grooves and movements!
Photos by Vilma Laryea
 |
| Sunday Drummers |
With a giant inflatable Stone Henge bouncy castle as backdrop, a drumming stand-off started, when the Drum Works group approached from the south area of the park.
We started to synchronise our rhythms and welcomed Drum Works in our middle, flanking them on both sides, and suddenly started a joint performance of under the leadership of Drum Works.
 |
| Saturday Drummers |
The result was a spectacular and powerful drumming performance that was well received by public and performers alike.
A fantastically fun way to celebrate 'our' anniversary and to demonstrate that we are not a one-trick pony.
Massive thanks to Drum Works for partnering up with us and teaching us new grooves and movements!
Photos by Vilma Laryea