TIDAL WAVE
Tidal Wave is a protest pop project, a celebration of unity and an invitation to join the wave of change!
LOVE forever. In the face of destruction and greed we will never stop loving our planet, our community and ourselves.
RAGE can be beautiful. We are justly furious at the destruction of our home. Let’s use this energy to create a new future.
Extinction Rebellions new Protest Pop Project is a reminder - together we are powerful. And in the face of climate crisis - we would rather BE a Tidal Wave of positive change, rather than be destroyed by the tidal waves of climate change
Featuring Drag Race UKs Crystal and Annakay Gayle as dancers, and produced by Amanda Mayo a.k.a Slow Shudder, designer Freyja Sewell and experimental composer Steph Singer have collaborated with a team of UK based international artists to create a new protest anthem called Tidal Wave. The vocals were performed by voiceover artist, presenter and author Nadine Wild Palmer. Edit direction by Nathanial Walters, and photography and cinematography by Sara Marinangeli.
The track was released by Extinction Rebellion International on the 2nd of April, and is accompanied by a music video with footage from the XR archives compiled by Nathanial. Featuring films of protests from around the world, as well as footage from speakers and indegionous leaders at marches and demonstrations, the track aims to blend the joy, colour and self expression of pop and drag with a message of hope and urgency.
Freyja drew inspiration for the custom costumes created for the dancers from Extinction Rebellions sign off, Love and Rage. They are made from reclaimed materials. Crystals costume is designed to embody the rage and power of water, and is made from 100% merino wool felt offcuts from international felt brand Fitz Felt. Annakays love and sacred lily inspired piece is constructed from hand dyed wool felt salvaged from a Selfridges window display the designer rescued after a project with them. Both wearable works use felt construction techniques explored by the designer, and are articulated to expand and contract with the dancers movements.
She gathered biophilic elements of flowers and stones to make into sets which are also featured in the music video and accompanying imagery. It was important to Freyja to include real pieces of the nature that XR aims to protect with in the design. The colours of the monochromatic sets and costumes are carefully selected to link with their theme choices and XRs existing branding.
The project was completed remotely, with very few of the members ever meeting in person, and members being introduced to others for the first time during production.
