Backstage with ADA Dark Angels
This week, we go backstage with World Hip Hop Champions, ADA Dark Angels.
The South Bristol dance group have an impressive collection of awards behind them, including being crowned World Champions after bagging both Gold and Silver at the World Dance Championships 2019. In the competition last year in Florida, they beat dozens of other Hip Hop groups from all around the world, wowing the audience enough to bring home the gold to Bristol.
Success didn’t stop there for the talented dance group. Last January, the World Hip Hop Champions made their way onto the hit BBC show ‘The Greatest Dancer’. The dance talent show sees dancers of any age and dance style compete to win $50,000 and a chance to perform on Strictly Come Dancing. Dancers must impress industry professionals, including multi-platinum-selling singer Cheryl and Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse.
Dark Angels wowed the audience and judges with their show-stopping audition and were subsequently chosen by Oti as part of her final three. The group made their way to the live shows until they were unfortunately eliminated in the second round.
The last few months have been incredibly hard for the creative arts industry, with the pandemic putting a stop to group training and live performances. However, the dance group have been very busy individually creating and posting dance routines and keeping so many entertained with virtual classes. ADA Dark Angels is just one team involved with the Angels Dance Academy, which represents an inclusive space for dancers of all ages and abilities and has truly grown to become a special and integral part of the South Bristol community.
Here, we spoke with Rebecca Mancini, member of ADA Dark Angels about what the group love about Bristol, who they’d like to see perform at YTL Arena Bristol in the future, and much more.
First gig, last gig, fav gig?
- Glastonbury
- Reading 2018
- Oasis final Tour
What does it mean to you for Bristol to finally have an indoor live entertainment arena?
The Dark Angels think it’s about time! Bristol is such an insane city and is booming with creative people, appreciating the arts in all. It’s the perfect city for an arena.
Which artist/band/ performer would you like to see perform at YTL Arena Bristol (…and why!)
We’ve got to shout out Diversity! They’ve paved the way for making street dance so popular in the UK, we would love to see them there.
What do you guys love about Bristol?
The culture and the vibe! The city is so vibrant. From the festivals every summer, to the graffiti heaven in Stokes Croft.
How has music inspired Dark Angels journey?
Wow, I’d say a lot! We love all music but back in the day, we were big grime fans and still love grime now. We also love funk and house music, so we really are a bag of pic n’ mix when it comes to the music we love.
What do you love most about performing to a live audience?
The buzz. There is nothing like pouring your heart out on stage to a screaming crowd.
Do any of you have any backstage rituals before a big performance?
Yes! Coach Charlie always gets us in for a team talk with the classic line “switch on now lads”. We all put our hands in and chant 123 DA!
What advice would you give aspiring dancers who want to follow in the steps of Dark Angels?
Work hard. Failures are just as important as successes - we’ve had many knock backs over the years, but you just have to keep pushing. Never get complacent and always be humble.
Can you name a song that can instantly boost your mood? (and why)
Macklemore – “Can’t Hold Us” It’s Dark Angels tune! If this comes on at a party, it’s going off!
And finally… as a collective, does Dark Angels have an all-time favourite song/ a song that means a lot to you so we can add it to our YTL Arena Backstage Pass playlist?
Macklemore – “Can’t Hold Us”.
To listen to our Backstage Playlist on Spotify, click here. For exciting updates at YTL Arena Bristol, follow @ytlarenabristol on social media or sign up to our newsletter