Destroy/Rankin

Using my magic 'skillz', I managed to acquire an invitation to the Destroy/Rankin private launch night thanks to the lovely folks over at Youth Music.

Open from November 10th at the Phillips De Pury Gallery, London, Destroy/Rankin showcases musicians’ ‘destroyed’ versions of iconic Rankin portraits of themselves in celebration of Youth Music’s 10th birthday.

Youth Music is an organisation which focuses their efforts on young people, and provides them with the means to express themselves and realise their talents through music. Check out their website – www.youthmusic.org.uk.

The Destroy/Rankin exhibition is an attempt at showing the similar worlds in which music and art exist, and that they are essentially one of the same. Noteworthy artists featured are Debbie Harry, Little Boots (who is also performing at the event on Thursday 12th), Carl Barat, Florence Welch, Patrick Wolf, Mel C (!) and Jarvis Cocker, whose UV penned schoolboy penis drawings are well deserved of a few giggles.

Monday night wasn’t all just about the pretty pictures though, and as well as spotting Joss Stone, we were treated to some rather nice performances too. First up was Mica Townsend, Youth Music Ambassador who has been helped over the last few years by the charity, and when you hear her voice, you understand why they’ve spent the time doing so. Second up, Josh Weller. I’m quickly becoming something of a fan of this big-haired boy and his sweet sing-alongs, not to mention his mic stands covered in pink balloons. Micachu and The Shapes were next, complete with baby-milk tin and other such hand-crafted percussion... Not really my cup of tea to be honest, maybe I'm missing something, or maybe they aren't actually that good... Finally, Patrick Wolf treated us to a few ‘too much red wine on the flight back from Brazil’ influenced songs, which included a tribute to the Spice Girls in the form of a brief chorus from ‘Viva Forever’, new single ‘Damaris’, and the ever wonderful 'Magic Position'. I had to behave myself and resist singing along to everything, as I seemed to be the only person, stood dead in the centre of stage, that knew who he was... This was easier said than done after a few too many glasses of free champers too...

The event is open to the public from today, with the benefit auction taking place this weekend, as well as some prints being part of a ‘silent auction’ over on eBay. If anyone fancies buying me the Carl Barat one so I can perv over it from the comfort of my own home, feel free...