Craig McConnon is dropping a tribute to Grime at the launch of Gen:Z, the Craig McConnon Group's latest venue set to launch in Northampton this week. “Grime is the most important music movement to develop in the UK in decades,” says Craig McConnon. “I also felt it just suits the venue, it's location, arhcitecture, design. It's underground, deep, like Grime it speaks of the city.”
The Craig McConnon Group is all set for the launch this week as the lineup is finalised. Craig McConnon will set off Grime Gigged with mashed backbeats and electronic zoombacks for gritty sound, coupled with backed down light drops and fast paced moves. “Grime is at 130 or 140 bpm, so it's fast and furious,” says Craig McConnon. “I've been playing around shuffling the discs to find the right pace and I've got it down. We're sticking to the jagged edge and not straying too far from contemporary culture with artists like Stormzy, Ghetts, Jme, Skepta and The Streets.”
Craig McConnon is known for his broad repertoire and is not bound by genre. He believes the time is right for Grime to go bigger. “Grime started out here in the UK but that's not where it's stuck. Grime's going big in Japan and Shanghai and I'm really chuffed to see Stormzy and other local greats in Iceland at Secret Solstice this year. It looks like Grime is our best export right now, apart from me, of course,” he quips.
The Craig McConnon Group is pleased that the Northampton venue has come together. “It's been a real race to meet our deadlines,” said a company spokesman. “We pushed hard and we got results. Our permissions have come through and the structure is sound for the launch.” Although the building has been completed, the venue is not yet open for private bookings. “We've got a list already but not quite open for bookings,” said Craig McConnon. “We're going to get through the launch then it's all systems go.” The multi-storey venue has massive capacity of 1500 party animals. Partially underground with industrial concrete finishes and low lighting, it's the ultimate Grime venue for DJ and live events.
The Craig McConnon Group has said the venue will be made available to local artists for performances, though it's primary purpose is as a dance venue. “We want to support the local music industry, especially underground artists and emerging talent,” he says. “That's not always easy when cheap imports are so popular, but what we've got right here is great talent that's not always seen. We see the big guys on TV talent shows but these grime guys have got some great stuff and I'm out to make it shine like it should.”
The Craig McConnon Group says clubmeisters (not the golfers) can expect supersize drops of UK EDM, garage, jungle, dancehall, ragga and hiphop with syncopated backbeats and gritty rap overlays and solos. Grime focuses on the hard reality of urban life in the underground and Gen:Z is the perfect venue to showcase just what this genre can do in the hands of a DJ like Craig McConnon and his inner circle. According to recent studies, Grime is as powerful and disruptive as punk, but that's not a bad thing. “Grime's got a bad rap, it's an outsider and unconventional but it's challenging and powerful,” says Craig McConnon. “As a DJ, you don't get to say this is a good genre and this is a bad one. You've got to look at the power in your hands and know how to use it. I'm using it to say we all have a voice worth listening to.”
Craig McConnon admits to being inspired by rising Grime artists like Stormzy, Skepta and Dizzee Rascal. “It's been said they're the most intelligent group of individuals in the music industry today and I've got to say I don't think that's far off,” he says. “They manage the industry, they manage their careers and they're shaping the futures of so many who could just be lost to the system.”
The Craig McConnon Group expects a capacity crowd at the Gen:Z Grime drop launch. “We've got our DJ cubes set with their synths, sequencers, modules and mixers and lights are good to go with LED synchronised panels on all levels with leading and trailing edges on curtain walls,” said a company spokesman. Craig McConnon did a final tour of the venue before the big launch over the weekend and was said to be super stoked on the team's achievements. “We're set for something really big here,” Craig McConnon said. “It's going to be every bit of awesome we expected.”
About us: Craig McConnon is a very well known DJ and music artist now based in London after many years of travelling and DJing across the world. He set up the Craig McConnon Group five years ago. Craig performs at multiple venues, including parties, weddings, corporate events, and much more. Craig has over 15 years’ experience in being a DJ and uses the very latest equipment to ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. To get more information and make booking with the Craig McConnon Group, you can contact the Craig McConnon website.
