The WORLD WIDE MESSAGE TRIBE are rapidly becoming the most popular contemporary Christian group in Europe. Dave Drodge went to meet the aggregation who've brought dance to Christian consciousness and the gospel to the schools of Manchester.

Future Plans
The band will play the Flevo Festival in Holland, Das Fest in Germany and Greenbelt in Northampton.

The Tribe will be taking a new team of three female singers/dancers round Manchester schools in October. The band, a soul/dance outfit, will then be doing schools work in the same way as the Tribe as from the spring of next year.

Two concerts that the Tribe are eager to promote will be taking place in the Apollo Theatre, Manchester in November. These events are open to all, not just school kids. The first will be an ordinary (!) Tribe concert and the second (on a Sunday) will be a Planet Life alternative worship event. The venue holds over 5,000.

Sani is planning to leave the band before Christmas. This is in order for her to pursue a solo career, which is something that has been on the cards since she moved to Manchester from Swaziland. Andy sheds more light on this: "We knew when she joined the band that it wouldn't be for ever, but she isn't leaving yet and we're still good friends, of course." And just in case there are any budding singers (preferably female) who would like the job, the Tribe are keen to hear from you. You MUST be very enthusiastic about taking part in schools work, however.

Something to get excited about is the rather curiously entitled 'World Wide Message Tribe's Midnight Massacre', due to be broadcast on Radio One on Christmas Eve. The programme will be an hour long and will consist of music (obviously), views from the band on different aspects of life and interviews with kids on different aspects of Christmas. Four seasonal songs have also been requested at the expense of Radio One. Michael Wakelin, producer at Radio One, says in a press release, "In the expanding world of contemporary Christian music, the World Wide Message Tribe are the most exciting development of recent years."

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

About Dave Drodge

Dave Drodge lives in Bristol and is fascinated by all aspects of dance club culture.