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This is the seventh Exeter Respect festival, and it is the biggest to date, taking place on Sunday 26th June - Sunday 3rd July 2005

As in previous festivals, this year's event is a diverse mixture of music, poetry, comedy and art.

The week starts with a bang on 26th June with the Opening Respect Party at the Timepiece nightclub, featuring Worldbeat.

On the same day, there's Respect Comedy at Three Fat Fish.

Rodney P

Exeter Phoenix again plays a big part in the festival, with an art exhibition throughout the week.

And the venue has two nights of world music on Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd July.


Friday is Respect jazz and funk and hip-hop night, with London Elektricity plus special guests - hip-hop master Rodney P, Cleveland Watkiss, DJ Patife and Jelly Jazz.

On Saturday, there is free multicultural entertainment all day, followed by a mega-celebration of sounds featuring reggae legends Misty in Roots and afro-celtic band Baka Beyond.

Also in the line-up on Saturday night are Street Heat, Kagemusha Taiko, among others.

Misty in Roots - seen here at the 2004 Beautful Days Festival in East Devon Pic: efestivals.co.uk

Exeter Respect Group is a broad coalition, which aims to use the arts to celebrate diversity and challenge prejudice.

Other people taking part are the Northcott Theatre, Devon County Council, the Exeter Picture House and Westpoint, where the London Community Gospel Choir are among the artists performing.

The Respect movement started in London two decades ago, and events now take place across the country.

Their motto is: All different, All equal...Respect!

For full details about events, visit the Phoenix and Exeter Respect websites linked on the left of this page.

Article published: 16th May 2005.