High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
Entertainment Contents: Showbiz | Music | Film | Arts | TV and Radio | New Media | Reviews |

BBC News Online: Entertainment: Music


Tuesday, 9 April, 2002, 18:14 GMT 19:14 UK

More trouble for So Solid Crew


So Solid Crew
So Solid Crew's UK tour had already been cancelled
Controversial dance music group So Solid Crew have been forced to cancel a gig at a university in Dublin over safety concerns.

The withdrawal from the bill at Trinity College's end-of-term ball is the latest in a long line of shows that have been scrapped after a shooting at their gig in London in October.

Oxide and Neutrino

It follows the recent cancellation by promoters, venues and police of the group's nationwide tour and appearance at a summer festival.

A new venue has been found for the Dublin show on 10 May, and a gig at Belfast University the night before is still scheduled to go ahead.

The Trinity College cancellation came after pressure from university authorities, according to music website NME.

The bad publicity surrounding the conviction of group member Asher D for the illegal possession of a gun was a major factor in the decision, the university's entertainment officer Siobhan O'Dwyer told the website.

The news follows the revelation that a show by two members of the crew will be subject to some of the strictest security measures ever seen at a concert.

 Click here to watch a clip of So Solid Crew perform 21 Seconds on Top of the Pops

Fans will have to pass through airport-style metal detectors before being allowed into the show by chart-topping duo Oxide and Neutrino, which is being broadcast live on MTV.

Their show is part of a week-long mini-festival taking place in Hackney, east London, and broadcast on MTV's specialist channels.

"We're determined to make people feel safe when they go to a garage night, so it makes a lot of sense," an MTV spokeswoman told BBC News Online.

"We do take the threat of violence seriously, and the gigs are taking place in Hackney. So we want to give people a night to remember for all the right reasons."

Police advice

Metal detectors have been used in the past at music events, but usually at raves and dance music clubs where there has been a history of violence with weapons.

Police said they did advise on security, but arrangements were up to the managers of the Ocean venue.

Oxide and Neutrino have had five UK top 20 singles as a duo, including the number one hit with Bound 4 Da Reload, which used a sample of the Casualty TV theme tune.

The 30-strong So Solid Crew, from south London, burst onto the music scene with the number one single 21 Seconds in August 2001, but soon became better known for things other than their music.

Gun

One member, Darren Weir, 22, was fined £1,500 by a court for assaulting a 15-year-old schoolgirl fan.

Two men were then shot at a show at London's Astoria in October, leading to the collapse of their UK tour, although none of the group was involved.

Ashley Walters, 19, who used the name Asher D, was then sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders' institution in March for gun possession.


Related to this story:
Garage star jailed for gun crime (25 Mar 02 | Music) So Solid dropped from festival (21 Mar 02 | Music) Race adviser attacks So Solid Crew (28 Feb 02 | Music) So Solid stars represent UK music (19 Feb 02 | Music) No UK tour for So Solid (05 Dec 01 | Music) So Solid upset by cancellations (03 Dec 01 | Music) Two shot at So Solid Crew party (01 Nov 01 | Music) So Solid Crew's 'heartfelt' tunes (13 Nov 01 | Music) So Solid Crew: Garage stars (05 Oct 01 | Music)


Internet links: So Solid Crew | Oxide and Neutrino |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
High Graphics | BBC SPORT>>
Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | AudioVideo |
Entertainment Contents: Showbiz | Music | Film | Arts | TV and Radio | New Media | Reviews |

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | ©