I was invited to attend RAW’s 4 year anniversary this was my second time attending RAW. The first time I attended I was performing as a backing vocalist for my friend Manny. I got to experience RAW this time through a different lens. If you haven’t been before I should probably give you some back story beforehand.
‘What Does Not is a culture agency run by three women. They host a monthly experience called RAW: London’s first uncensored storytelling and live music night.’
Each RAW has a different theme and the night I attended the theme was called human. The night was held at The Old Sessions House which has absolutely breathtaking architecture. It’s usually a members only work club so they don’t usually have members of the public in there so it already feels special as soon as you walk in. At the beginning of the night we are merely scratching the surface. What does it mean to be human you ask? well we started with the senses naturally. There were different stations that allowed you to use your senses or think of your senses. Firstly I visited ‘hear’ at this station there was a selection of vinyls along with a vinyl player and headphones. I picked two different vinyls one had a bluesy feel with horns the works, it sounded timeless. I believe it was Duke Ellington and John Coltrane. The other vinyl was hip hop it was a self titled debut album ‘Run The Jewels’. It was fierce and electric and I fully immersed myself with both sounds, sinking into the comfy chairs closing my eyes as the sunlight danced across my face. The next station I visited was ‘see’ there was a selection of photos on a TV running back to back. There on the screen was captured candid honest moments of their events over the course of 4 years. No posing just capturing people as they are, it was beautiful. There was also a photo book that I looked through and saw some familiar faces I smiled to myself reminiscing.
The next station was ‘smell’ it asked to share the scent of a memory. I wrote as my contribution:
‘The smell of old spice on mature skin, it reminds me of my Grandad, he passed away over 8yrs ago. I was on the train and gentleman sat next to me and he smelt exactly the same as my Grandad. I didn’t look at this man because I wanted to be in the moment. I breathed in deeply, stopped my music and was just looking out of the window watching the world go by. I remember a little part of me didn’t want the gentleman to leave. But I am so glad to have experienced that moment. I embraced it the only way I knew how. Being present.’
The next station I visited was ‘taste’ there was a welcome drink which had the Greek spirit Metaxa which I found out is a type of Brandy. It was absolutely delicious. As I was indulging in my welcome drink I went over to the last station ‘touch’ it encouraged attendees to draw a stranger. I did consider getting involved but I can barely draw to save my life and there weren’t any seats left. So I decided to just watch instead, there was a big red canvas and it looked like folks had been adding to it throughtout the night. I have always found it fascinating when people can create live in front of you what they see with paint, chalk pastels etc.
The place was buzzing and the atmosphere was lively. I decided I wanted to move away from the hustle and bustle so I moved out of the bar area into a different section. Which looked like what I could only describe as an indoor balcony which ran along both sides leading to a big room that we would all be going in soon. It had string with wooden pegs running along with every single theme they’d had over the course of the 4yrs. I went to each one reading the stories of all these strangers and I will say some were hard to read due to the sheer topics, some emotional, some joyous and triumphant. I went back downstairs to the ‘hear’ station because it had quieten down even more so and melted into the music again. I felt like my nervous system needed the reset and was thankful that there were quiet spaces to just be. I was barely on my phone looking aimlessly at rubbish, like the other times I have been to events on my own. Felt my anxiety and awkward shyness set it to take over the confidence side of myself. Like my phone is going to magically save me somehow. I actually felt like I could genuinely relax which was lovely after a long work week.
I went upstairs to the main event and in the middle of the room was a huge chandlier the floor was covered in cushions and blankets, with some chairs on either side. It instantly felt cozy as we all got comfy in our posistions. We listened to a story of a foster mother who had so much love to give even when her own journey growing up was difficult. We listened to a story about a formidable being who was taken away from this earth too soon and the grief of a friend who deeply missed them. But was honouring them in the most beautiful way. We listened to stories about forging your own path when your family doesn’t understand you. There were music artists too and they told there stories about why they had chosen the song they had. I loved hearing the deeper connections they had with the music they created. Usually an artist doesn’t always have the time to explain the story behind their song. But this was free reign, which was wonderful.
This night was about human connection and you could really feel it in there. I’m truly glad that such a beautiful event exists. I hope more people go along and I wish the team all the very best for the future.