A Symphony of Sound
For two decades, Jaminaround has been bringing internationally acclaimed artists to perform in one of Dorset’s best kept secrets, the awe-inspiring intimacy of Cranborne Ancient Technology Centre’s Earthouse. This 250-seater roundhouse is more than just a venue; it's a catalyst for powerful, memorable experiences. We meet Olly Keen, the founder of the festival, ahead of its 20th-anniversary celebration that promises to be a landmark event.
Hey Olly, Can you tell us who you are, what Jaminaround is and what inspired you to start it?
My name is Olly Keen, musician and event coordinator from Dorset. Jaminaround is a music event that I founded in 2004, taking place at The Ancient Technology Centre in my home village of Cranborne. Initially a once-a-year mini-festival, now a program of events across May-October. The core mission of the event is to draw audience and performer together in a memorable, intimate, spellbound moment, harnessing the energy of the circular space to honour and witness the magic of exceptional performing artistry. Recent highlights include; Lianne La Havas, Balimaya Project, Alabaster DePlume, Melt Yourself Down, Dave Okumu, Mellah, Kakatsitsi Master Drummers of Ghana, Soothsayers, Sam Lee, Eska and many more.
Cranborne’s Ancient Technology Centre is a pretty unique venue… What's the connection?
The Ancient Technology Centre was founded by my father Jake Keen back in the mid-1980s. It’s an outdoor education centre for children to experience how people in prehistory used to go about their daily lives, making fire, making bread and actually building buildings. The biggest, most impressive building at the ATC is the 250-seater Earthouse, purpose built for performances of music and storytelling. The Jaminaround mission was born out of respect and love for this uniquely inspiring building.
What makes watching live music and performances so special here?
It’s a cliché but you have to experience it to believe it. You’re in an underground cave with a wooden roof supported by a ring of 21 enormous oak tree trunks. Everyone sitting in the round, facing everyone else, enthralled in the moment, the band in the middle facing each other too, it’s a unique experience for audience and performer and it creates a special connection between everyone present!
You’ll be celebrating 20 years of Jaminaround on the weekend of May 25/26th, congratulations! What can people expect?
Thanks! It’s going to be epic! For the first time ever we are extending to a two day event with a lavish line-up of amazing artists. There’ll be a mix of some exclusive debuts and some acts who have been central to the story of Jaminaround over the years. Still intimate, not bigger, just more! The first wave of tickets - released before even the line-up was announced has sold out already. These people know and trust the high quality experience they can expect from a Jaminaround event! The second release has just gone on sale and the full line-up is now published on the website: American alt-folk sensation Sam Amidon, Ghanaian high-life funk from Alostmen, Moroccan gnawa trance from Electric Jalaba, storytelling… and much more.
What else is in the works for Jaminaround?
2024 will see the biggest program of Jaminaround events yet, including a jazz piano masterclass in June, ‘Beauty And The Beat’ dance party in July, Summer Residential music course in August, another festival in September and a choral singing event in October. Follow us on Instagram to make sure you’re in the loop.
Website → jaminaround.com
Instagram → @jaminaround
