SHELF-LIFE

Join us at V&A East Museum for SHELF-LIFE, a high-fidelity listening experience where history is heard as much as it is seen. AMASSE invite a guest polymathic artist to requisition three distinct objects from the V&A collection, drawing lines between the physical heritage of the past and the sonic landscapes of today.
 
At the centre of the room sits an "Active Object" - a playable relic, surrounded by "Passive" archival artefacts. Responding directly to their textures, origins, and stories, the artist curates a live set on our audiophile sound system, playing records or creating sounds reflecting the way these objects feel.

Across the museum discover live DJ sets from ABIMBOLA and Jesse Bernard on the LIN KAM ART sound system, celebrating the breadth of Black British music. Experience musicians in session through a live instrumental jam with ORII.
 
SHELF-LIFE is a synaesthetic journey through Black British cultural identity, exploring music as a tool of protest, affirmation, and collective memory - tracing sonic lineages stretching from traditional African rhythms through colonial histories to the modern pulse of Black British music.

Programme

Upper Ground
18:30-20:00     ABIMBOLA | DJ set
20:00-21:30     Jesse Bernard | DJ set

Level 3
18:30-20:00     Marla Kether | SHELF-LIFE: The Response 
20:00-21:30     ORII JAM


Artists

Marla Kether
Born in London to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a bassist, producer and DJ. Having worked as a session bassist for artists including Loyle Carner, Yazmin Lacey, Oscar Jerome, and Obongjayar, Marla released All That We Have in November 2023 to widespread acclaim. The EP was championed by the likes of Crack Magazine, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova, Shanti Celeste and Gilles Peterson. Bandcamp Daily hailed the EP as among ‘The Best Electronic Music of November 2023’, and the closing track BTR2 was one of DJ Mag’s Top Tracks of the Year.

Since taking up DJing during lockdown in 2020 Marla has rapidly honed her craft. She’s been busy taking her high-energy sets around the world, performing at Glastonbury, Shambala, Latitude Festival, Little Simz’s Tate Modern Lates and supporting Loyle Carner on his US tour in addition to playing in the band. She has also contributed outstanding mixes for the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, Crack Magazine, NTS and Selector Radio. 

In April 2024, Marla launched Kilengi Dance Party, a bi-annual club night in Bristol celebrating dance music from the afrodiaspora, and showcasing Black women and non-binary DJs.

ABIMBOLA
Based in East London, ABIMBOLA is an international, multi-genre DJ renowned for high-energy sets that seamlessly blend Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, R&B, and electronic rhythms. Rooted in connection and community, she utilises her genre-fluid sound to create inclusive, unforgettable atmospheres on every dancefloor.

Her journey behind the decks has taken her to stages across London, Milan, Estonia, and Paris, with standout performances for the likes of NOTION, GALA Festival ‘23 & ‘26, CIWEN, VOICES Radio, and more.

Jesse Bernard
Jesse Bernard is a London-based journalist, DJ and filmmaker. His work has been published by GQ, The FADER, The Guardian and OkayPlayer; and his first book, “Escaping Babylon”, tracing the history of Black British music and culture, is set for release in 2023. In 2022, WePresent featured his documentary “COMO VOCÊ,” which offered an inside look at Brazil’s burgeoning grime scene. 

ORII
ORII CIC is a platform dedicated to empowering underrepresented creatives by providing the tools, opportunities and community they need to thrive. They address the lack of accessible spaces where POC and LGBTQ+ artists can safely create, collaborate, and receive mentorship. By offering a supportive environment and essential resources, Orii enables emerging artists to develop their craft, build confidence, and forge sustainable careers in the music and creative industries.