Music Against Domestic Abuse 2008    Exeter Phoenix Sept 4th.

This year’s MADA event surpassed all expectations and followed a hugely successful employer’s campaign, both taking place at the Exeter Phoenix. Martyn Joseph, who was jointly headlining the MADA event kindly provided both a climax to the Employers event and a prequel to the evening event by performing his song ‘Half of a Man’.  A clip of Martyn’s performances was shown on both Westcountry and BBC Spotlight TV.

MADA 2008 was so well attended that people were queuing for 20 minutes to get into the main auditorium. They were not disappointed as opening act the Joyce Gang performed a dazzling set with an array of styles ranging from traditional Irish to modern jazz. With 5 acts billed for the MADA event intervals were short and young North Devon singer songwriter, Jenna Witts, gave a confident and polished performance which provided further evidence of her growing stature within the industry and her ability to reach out to a wide audience. She had toured with Steve Knightley and co wrote the haunting ‘Seven Days’ from Show of Hands Country Life album.   

The half way point saw Daniel Rachel and his band take to the stage with an energetic and meaningful collection  of songs including ‘Let it be Mine’ which was a hit for Daniel in January of this year. Daniel had kindly donated proceeds for the single to the London based Domestic and Sexual Violence charity – Tender. He had previously played a benefit gig at the famous Borderline Club in London.

The penultimate act, Rachel Taylor- Beales, gave us an innovative and soulful performance with a mixture of folk, jazz and country which created a unique sound. Her stage presence and ability to tell stories thrilled the audience and will undoubtedly be a name to look out for in the future.

The evening reached a climax with headliners and award winning musicians Martyn Joesph and Steve Knightley (Show of Hands) fusing their talent, friendship and humour to provide an hour of captivating songs from their huge catalogue of outstanding material.  It was a privilege and honour to have them grace the stage at a MADA event and their combined individual talents culminating in a mesmerising encore will be long remembered by all that attended.

The evening opened with local Devon fiddle punk band, Eat the Rich delighting the crowd with their own brand of frantic folk rock including some great covers from iconic bands The Clash and the Pogues! The main event of the evening saw Skaville UK take to the stage playing a great set with songs from their album 1973. Made of members from 80’s Ska bands Bad Manners and the Selector and featuring special guest Rhoda Dakar from The Bodysnatchers/Special AKA, they played an energetic and lively set culminating in Rhodas Ska classic Let’s do Rocksteady.

Music against domestic abuse in 2006

The second annual Music Against Domestic Abuse event was again held at the Coaver Club Exeter with another packed house enjoying Devon based band FOS Brothers and the Cornish based trio ‘3 Daft Monkeys'. First on were FOS Brothers who produced an amazingly hypnotic acoustic set with a fusion of traditional and original songs. Talented musicians whose many years playing at festivals, including Glastonbury , signified a real treat for the MADA audience.

Next up were 3 Daft Monkeys – ‘world influenced acoustic music with a hint of the bizarre'. Regularly supporting folk rock giants ‘The Levellers', 3DM have undoubtedly become a phenomenal force in their own right. A lively set which saw everyone up on the dance floor and included live favourites Hubbadillia and Social Vertico.

All in all a great night of entertainment that will help put MADA events firmly on the map!

music against domestic abuse in 2005

22/11/2005 Catherine Watson

CHARITY GIG ATTRACTS FULL HOUSE

AROUND 200 people packed a gig in Exeter to help raise cash for the city's refuge and to launch national Domestic Violence Awareness Week. Diamondogz and the Fab 2, who are Paul and John from The Fab Beatles, performed at the Coaver Club in Topsham Road . A poem written by the late Michaela Manvill, an Exmouth victim of domestic violence, was read out.

The concert was the first of its kind to be organised by the new Music Against Domestic Abuse campaign to raise cash for Exeter 's refuge and domestic violence charities. Organiser Andy Stapley, who works for Exeter Primary Care Trust, said: “The event was a phenomenal success and plans will shortly be under way for a major event next year. It was a great start to Domestic Violence Awareness Week, with a silent march taking place in the city centre on the same day.”

Andy is involved in the task group Devon Against Domestic Violence and Abuse, which has been set up to deal with domestic violence.

MADA Music Against Domestic Abuse