On Wednesday 6 March, a very special music event was staged at the centre of British politics - the Houses of Parliament - as the 'House the House' competition reached its spectacular conclusion. Organised by the charity Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (LNADJ), the two-and-a-half hour musical extravaganza saw a series of inspiring musical performances, including a set by DJ superstar Fatboy Slim.
Headlining the bill was 'House the House' winner Bryce Fury, who won the Final at Ministry of Sound in February. As the competition's winner, he snagged a stunning first-prize package, which also included a fully paid Audio Production Degree Scholarship at SAE Institute worth £20,000, a set at We Love Space in Ibiza and a haul of Vestax DJ kit.
LNADJ was formed by two musical visionaries, Jonny Lee and Ian Kennedy, almost three years ago. Their mission is to unite the global dance music community, in order to raise awareness and vital funding for environmental and humanitarian causes. Initiatives like the Ibiza Heart Project are doing just that. Last summer, it raised 31,000 for good causes through a 5 guest list donation at We Love's 17 events on Sunday at Space.
During Jonny's chance meeting with Mike Weatherley MP, who hosts the 'Rock the House' competition, the pair discussed the idea of doing something similar with more of a dance music axis. They came up with 'House the House' - a DJ competition aimed at reuniting young people with their communities. LNADJ's team, headed by Jonny and including creative director Jim McNulty and strategist James Holdsworth, set about turning the idea into reality.
Funktion-One has supported LNADJ since its inception. And with 'House the House', the company, its partners, as well as Tony and Ann Andrews were on hand every step of the way.
Upholding the foundation's ethos of 'unity, community and serious fun', the competition invited young DJs from all over the UK to submit 30 minute mixes through Mixcloud. As well as being judged on their musical capabilities, each entrant was required to donate time to a community organisation in their area, in order to meet the qualifying criteria.
The competition kicked off with an opening party at The Vinyl Factory in London, which was headlined by legendary DJ Danny Rampling. Funktion-One partner, Project Audio, supplied a system befitting the occasion.
The 10 Regional Heats were held at some of the country's most respected clubs, including a host of Tokyo Industries venues, like Digital in Newcastle and in Brighton, and FAC 251 in Manchester. Mint in Leeds and Corsica Studios in London also played host to the competition's young DJ talent. These venues share a common attribute; each of them is installed with a Funktion-One sound system.
When a system had to be brought in, like at Bristol's The Station, Funktion-One partners like Audio Funktion were on hand to supply it.
Young DJs, some playing their first ever gig, were given the opportunity to do what they love in the coolest venues and through the best sound systems.
At the final, held at London's Ministry of Sound, Tony Andrews was invited to join the panel of judges, which also included DJ Trevor Fung, Darren Hughes and DJ Callum from We Love Space, and Réjane Magloire - who sang the original Last Night a DJ Saved My Life with her group In Deep. The winner, Bryce Fury, had come through his regional heat at Digital in Newcastle. Next, he would be performing at the Houses of Parliament, supported by Fatboy Slim.
Project Audio stepped up to support the event with equipment and crew for the Houses of Parliament show. It's support like this, which allows the foundation to do the incredible things it does. The set-up included two white Funktion-One Resolution 2 speakers, a Funktion-One BR2
