This year's been sadly lacking in good news and it appears to only be mounting up further. Recently, it emerged that legendary music photographer Shaun Bloodworth has fallen seriously ill. The Sheffield-based photographer has been in Northern General Hospital for four months while he waits for a liver transplant. However, his problems have been compounded by a serious infection that meant the lower part of one leg had to be amputated. Now, news has come in that Shaun's liver transplant is coming in the near future and the situation is becoming increasingly urgent. Not only that, but since Shaun is self-employed his income relies on his photography, an impossibility in his current condition.
To that end, a massive shoobs has been organised at XOYO on Sept. 15 to raise money for him. Shaun's worked with a colossal wealth of talent—everyone from Flying Lotus to Jackmaster to Hudson Mohawke to Mary Anne Hobbs - and unsurprisingly tons and tons of musicians and DJs have pledged their support, and many of them can be found at the XOYO show.
The full line-up, but together by Hobbs, will feature Alexander Nut, Artwork, Benga, Eclair Fifi, Funk Butcher (featuring Trim), Geeneus, Horsepower Productions, Illum Sphere, Josey Rebelle, Jon K, Katy B, Loefah, Lone, Mary Anne Hobbs, Pearson Sound, Pinch, Raji Rags, Roska, Rustie, Special Request aka Paul Woolford, Tessela, Untold, Youngsta as well as MCs Crazy D, Sgt. Pokes, SP:MC. If that staggering list weren't enough, there'll also be a huge list of special guests from Tempa, Big Apple, Hessle Audio, Rinse FM, Bingo Beats, R&S Records, SheWorks, Bleep, Pan and TerrorRhythm.
You can check the Sheffield Culture Guide for updates on Shaun's condition. Head to the event page for more details, where to buy tickets and how to donate to Shaun.
