A COVENTRY-born DJ who now has her music streamed around the world has spoken of her excitement about being selected to be part of the prestigious Terry Hall’s Home Sessions taking place as part of the UK City of Culture.
DJ Lau.ra, who was born in born Walsgrave Hospital and grew up in Dunchurch, will be taking centre stage at Coventry Cathedral at 7pm next Thursday, July 29.
She will be alongside Guests Nova, Eliza Legzdina and Secaina and Whitey.
She told the Observer: “I’m so excited about it – I can’t remember the last time I played a home city show.
“I have been in the music industry 10 years, moved to London when I was 18 and have spent the past 15 years there.”
Lau.ra released her first single at the start of 2020 – getting plenty of playlist support and her music getting regular spins on the Annie Mac Show.
She said: “Despite the pandemic, it has been one of the best years in my life.
“The only problem is I have been creating these big banging dance tunes and have not been able to play them in a club – which is how they are supposed to be enjoyed.
“I have been sent videos of people playing it in their homes and dancing around their kitchens which has been great.”
Prior to the pandemic, Lau.ra was performing all around the world, including America and Russia.
“That’s the notion of streaming – you get global fan bases.”
On getting to play a home city gig she said: “I don’t know the venue – I remember the Cathedral Ruins but I’ve never been in the new Cathedral.
“I’m hoping people will come along and I can get a new army of fans from here.
“After the year everyone has had, I’m hoping audiences will be over supportive and want to come out and have the best time they possibly can.”
Other acts revealed last week included hip hop rapper Whitey, Riding the Low featuring Paddy Considine, singer-songwriter John Grant, rock band Fat White Family, The Charlatans’ frontman Tim Burgess, singer-songwriter and guitarist Jane Weaver and DJ and musician Don Letts along with DJs Radda Dakka and Jazzie B.
Bill Drummond, co-founder of late 1980s avant-garde pop group The KLF, presents a screening of ‘Best Before Death’, a documentary portrait of Bill Drummond’s 12 year World Art Tour by Paul Duane with Oscar-nominated cinematographer Robbie Ryan. Following the Screening, he will perform his play ‘White Saviour Complex’ with Tam Dean Burn.
A special competition, Home Grown, will see local talent, with a focus on underrepresented groups, selected in the lead up to Home Sessions take to the stage as support acts to the internationally-known headliners.
The judging panel comprises Terry Hall and his creative producer Suzanne Bisset, singer/songwriter Peter Doherty, Strap Originals producer Jai Stanley, Letitia George, presenter of BBC CWR and Sarah Morgan, director, Tin Music and Arts.
The iconic venues providing the perfect backdrop include the Coventry Cathedral Ruins, the brand new HMV Empire.
Click here for more on the Terry Hall Home Sessions and to book tickets.
