AiDU is a digital media platform established by the team behind Shambala Festival and The Kambe Foundation. It was set up as a reaction to the devastation that the Covid 19 Pandemic caused across the music industry.
AiDU set about producing a series of engaging and informative shows focusing on presenting excellent music alongside other art forms. They were more than just simple streams; they were wonderfully produced shows that also included in-depth interviews, animation and also poetry. The Aidu platform invited donations and across 2020, we raised over £1500 that was used to provide invaluable support for all the artists while all their revenues through live performance came to an abrupt end.
Although inspired as a reaction to the devastation caused by coronavirus, AiDU has the purpose and intention to be relevant well beyond this current crisis and is, hopefully, here to stay!
AiDU intends to showcase work, develop audiences and explore crucial cultural issues. Alongside in-house productions, AiDU will also work with other content providers and producers to create a rich schedule of programs providing a platform for many art forms, artists, causes and issues from across the UK and beyond.
Beneficiaries
Our first selection of beneficiaries were chosen as they were all actively supporting the music industry while it was being devastated by Covid 19. Together they reach musicians and venues in the UK and also musicians and artists across the globe.
In Place of War
IPOW is a global organisation that uses creativity in places of conflict as a tool for positive change. IPOW enable grassroots change-makers in music, theatre and across the arts to transform a culture of violence and suffering into hope, opportunity and freedom.
Soulidarity
Soulidarity is a campaign to support touring artists from across Africa who have lost their livelihoods through the impact of Covid 19 and are receiving no help from their governments.
Music Venue Trust
Music venues are the very foundation of the entire music industry and they are in crisis due to the Covid 19 pandemic that has only compounded myriad existing issues. Their survival is crucial for artists and audiences alike.
Help Musicians
Help Musicians is a national charity dedicated to supporting every aspect of a musicians life and career from starting out to retirement. Musicians need all the help, guidance and support they can get to navigate the current crisis.
Partners of AiDU
Without the talent, time and belief of the following people and organisations none of this project would be possible!
THE JAM JAR
The Jam Jar is a much loved independent live music venue and community arts space in the heart of Bristol. Since the outbreak of Covid-19, we have repurposed the space into a fully functioning live film studio which is safely operable with strict adherence to social distancing and safety guidelines.
TRAGO STUDIO
Trago Studio is an incredibly accomplished film studio and they have brought their full talent and energy to AiDU looking after the cameras and editing.
JMc AUDIO
Jack from JMc Audio is a talented sound engineer and production manager who has toured the world with the likes of Nick Mulvey, Lily Allen and Miles Kane. He has, among many other roles, managed all the audio for this project.
ELLIOT JENKINS
Elliot is an Emmy winning film producer and has come on board to set us up and teach us how to produce TV! Without Elliot’s assistance, we would be in big trouble!
Special thanks also is due to the following for everything from advice to the loan of equipment:
BES SYSTEMS www.bes-systems.co.uk
AMBER AUDIO www.amberaudio.co.uk
FINELINE LIGHTING www.finelinelighting.com