An uncensored immersive experience - showcasing Coventry’s part in the Jungle explosion of the mid 90’s, along with the darker side which took its toll on many…

August 29th - 31st 2024 A.D at the New Coventry Catherdal

REFLECTION#3 – “The Drugs Don’t Work” - an uncensored, immersive experience staged at the iconic Coventry Cathedral, featuring sound systems, laser displays, documentary films, projections, digital animation and photographic exhibition.

The audience was invited into the labyrinthine downstairs spaces of Coventry Cathedral, with the next chapter in the saga documenting the electronic dance music revolution taking place in Coventry across the late 1980’s and early 90’s.

The Drugs Don’t Work picks up the story in December 1993 with the first ever all-night jungle event outside of London, put on by Jungle Fever at The Edge in Coventry.

The exhibition premiered two documentary films. Concrete Jungle: The Birth of Jungle Fever, Part 1 and 2, with the tale of the legendary promoters including the story of why they moved the event to Coventry, staging two legendary nights in The Edge, formerly The Eclipse in Coventry, the 1st ever all night Jungle events held outside of London.

Also an experimental 3D digital short - To Your Brain, To Your Vein…, screened in the vestry. Mixing live action with Bedknobs and Broomsticks-style animation, holographic and 3D digital imaging. To Your Brain… is an uncompromising cautionary tale in which MC Man Parris narrates his descent into drug use and his ultimate redemption, in a darkly comedic take on a drug education film.

The exhibition also featured a tongue in cheek drug education TV programme for schools. Documenting a youth revolution fuelled by drug culture, and the lives of people who lived the last 30 years in Coventry. Their experiences living in Coventry reveals the complications of drugs, and the lifestyle that it bought with it. Explaining the wasted energy and creativity from inner city working class youth.

In the labyrinthine corridors of the cathedral, an immersive experience animated by soundscapes, lasers, smoke and UV backdrops.

REFLECTION#3 - The Drugs Dont't Work is dedicated to Karen Bailey (Freaky Features). A massive part of our team who sadly passed away last year. We used her designs and inspiration throughout the exhibition.