Today is National DJ day in the U.S and it feels like the UK could do with a day to celebrate our DJs too, so PRSC are stealing this one (actually we’re not stealing it, we’re just sampling it and making it fresh for a new audience).

This seems an appropriate time to launch our new crowdfunder to support the replacement of the iconic DJ Derek mural pictured above: https://www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/dj-derek-repaint-the-memorial-mural

This also seems like the right time to take stock of the struggles currently facing our precious music industry.

It looks like this week we will hear the announcement that Glasto has been cancelled (again). The big music festivals are currently lobbying for government backed insurance to cover the cancellation of these major events. Without this financial support these cultural events face complete decimation.

On top of the new live music and night life crises created by Covid, Brexit has joined the line up of existential threats to Britain’s live music scene with the end to visa free touring for British musicians and performers. Of course the UK scene isn’t going down without a fight and attempts are being made to get this issue debated in Parliament. See the petition here.

Watch what Caroline Dineage (Minister for Digital and Culture) and Parliament had to say about this on January 19th.

Even before the exciting developments of a global pandemic and Brexit, the Save Bristol Night Life campaign was already calling on all of us to confront the amassed threats facing our night time economy with multiple venues closing, or threatened with closure across the city.

In the face of all this, PRSC is sending out a big shout out to our local community radio stations – BCFM and Ujima have been providing an essential platform for local music culture generally and DJs specifically, as well as connecting people and reducing isolation.

In fact BCFM is offering free DAB radios to vulnerable older people living in Bristol in a bid to tackle loneliness. To find out more about the scheme, please get in contact with BCfm.

In the mood to shake your hips?

Check out these feel good mixes from Bristol DJs:

DJ Dub Boy and Sam Atki2 plays the Soca Sounds show on Ujima radio 12-2pm every Saturday. Here’s the latest show »

Are you a hip hop fan? Late at night on BCFM you might be lucky enough to catch Troy Da Hybrid with his legendary Hip Hop Barbershop show.

And outside of the radio, here’s the latest Cumbia mix by Bristol DJ Boom Operator.

Bristol DJs we love you! You help to give this city it’s heartbeat. We miss skanking to your tunes, and we are counting the days until we can all go out and get sweaty dancing to your sweet Bristol sounds again.

And finally in less local news, PRSC would like to thank Yardman Reports Feat. Irah MC for creating the drum and bass track we didn’t know was missing from our lives: Bumbahole Boris

Picture credits:

Top: Limited edition print of the official DJ Derek Memorial Wall based on Richmond Road, Bristol painted by Sepr, Deams, 45RPM and Piro. All prints are signed and numbered by the artists and are available as prizes from our crowdfunder

Next: PRSC Mural wall “Keep The Clubs – Culture is Our Greatest Asset” designed and painted by PRSC over ten years ago.

Then: Photograph of a DJ battle at Timbuk2 by Lisa Furness

Bottom: Proper Bristol Postcard featuring Big Jeff. Photo by Paul Blakemore. See more & buy the poster here »