The one person with whom I’ve collaborated that has meant more to me than any of my famous collaborators or dance music clients is Zaid Joseph.
Zaid’s a very successful promoter. Many say that he is THE most influential promoter in Camden Town and beyond.
He has compered the likes of The Maccabees, Babyshambles, Jack Penate as well as The Grumbleweeds'(!) careers. In fact
Zaid collaborated with Andy Boyd, former manager of Sophie Ellis Bextor. It was she who made quite a splash during the Covid 19 lockdown from late March 2020 up to around February 2021) from her disco kitchen in Brighton. She’s married to The Libertines (Pete Doherty, Kate Moss’s former flame as well as talented musician Carl Barat) as well as their subsequent incarnation, Babyshambles.
Andy Boyd is the former manager of The Libertines (Pete Doherty) and their next incarnation, Babyshambles. He also managed popstar Sophie Ellis Bextor, now famous for performing disco numbers in her Brighton front room during the Covid lockdowns.
Zaid in full flow
But far more importantly, Zaid has introduced burgeoning talented young musicians to the London live scene. Without Zaid, much music would have remained unheard; so much talent untapped.
Gigging is a way of life. A bug that all creative musicians never want to give up. It’s far far more than a route to fame and fortune. And Zaid is the embodiment of that ethic.
The gigs he promotes and comperes are the real deal. No school or church halls here.
A former Butlins bluecoat, Zaid has fostered talent like no other, and not just within the Camden music hothouse. He’s involved in promoting live events in venues in London’s West End and beyond.
Together over the last eight years, we have joined forces to give my talented BEAT and Woodhouse students, as well as top young talent from Camden, Brent, Enfield and Haringey, the same opportunities. With no backing tapes, voice manipulation, Autotune or nightmare X-Factor-style karaoke blandness.
Its been an inspiring partnership for me. The venues we have used have been Bar Vinyl, Bar Solo and, later, Bayou. These venues are right opposite Camden Town tube in Inverness Street. Prior to that, I used the Music Palace in Crouch End where I live. Its now the trendy new indie cinema, The Arthouse.
Here’s a promo shot for Zaid’s Vinyl gigs:
Following these smaller gigs, and if the young pups can handle it, they’ll move on to Camden Proud (see below). But they have to be good as its a more prestigious venue.
For several years, Zaid and I had been presenting the ‘Amped’ showcase which is always an inspiring afternoon and evening of excitement, creativity and flair. A new younger generation of North London music talent gets to enjoy the thrill of performing. This is how it should be.
Here’s to another eight years Zaid!
