April 23rd 1995, Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre, Birmingham

On April 23rd 1995, from 12pm until 6pm over 250 people from both the UK and Holland descended on Birmingham's Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre for the second Jean Michel Jarre UK convention. The day was organised in association with Revolution Magazine and was publicised extensively via the Internet, radio appearances and various magazines such as Future Music who all gave us support.

Apart from the rare video show, which featured Chronologie 8 promo amongst other rarities, there was an enormous exhibition of some of the rarest Jarre record and merchandise (including La Cage). A large number of exhibitors sold merchandise, records, T-Shirts, posters and photos - these were Revolution magazine, Joel's Sweatshop, Conductor of the Masses magazine, Rendez-vous Records, Jarre Mania (Dutch Fan Club), Electronic Music in Time, C & D Compact Disc Services, Destination Jarre, AD Records, Surreal to Real and Warrior Video.

Another highlight was the question and answer session where representatives from the exhibitors took questions from the 250-strong crowd, which was greeted with open arms by the public. Thankyou to the following (who are shown in the picture from left to right): Graham Needham, Robert Francis (who went to Houston and Lyon), Mark from COTM, John van der Stap and Dave Freeman for taking part in this - which covered the whole spectrum of Jarre's work and discussed the magazines dedicated to the man, and even the full listing of tracks played at Lyon - the whole thing was very interesting indeed.

As a fitting end to the day, six-piece band Systeme played an excellent laser/light concert with live keyboards, drums and sax - they played the following songs accompanied by a giant video screen displaying computer animations, and a 5000 watt laser/light show:

Unfortunately although we had over 250 people we did not break even on this event. Everyone involved in the day did so voluntarily, and although obviously we did not run the day to lose money - we did so because we love Jarre's music and vision. Still, the money raised in the auction still goes 100% to UNESCO. So £115 was donated to UNESCO, where Jean Michel is their goodwill ambassador.

Jean Michel appeared at the day (in the guise of Jarre fanatic Penney Bell), and the man himself sent a fax over to the organisers which thanked the fans for taking part in the day and "I hope to see you out there cheering for the next few years of concerts!". This was an amazing surprise, and one which we really appreciate. So thankyou of course to Jean Michel Jarre for taking time out from his busy schedule to write to us - nothing can be more appreciated more than support from the man himself.

I would like to personally thank everyone who came to the day and had a great time - I know I did, the exhibitors as mentioned above, and the following people who's without support the day would not have been the same: Jean Michel Jarre, Arielle de la Tour d'Auvergne, Fiona de Montaiginac, Dave Freeman, Howard Knowelden, Systeme (Paul Moxon, Simon Roberts, Chris Morgan, Cliff Dowding, Neil Bond, Louise Millward), Phil Walker, Stephen Lee Toole, Karel Krijger, Jeroen van Niftrik, Tony Dines, Pete Winnard, Adrian Goodswen, Ed Cole, Lee Sainsbury, Ed "Frankie" Bradley, Scott Morgan, Elaine Millward, Steve Knight, my parents Diana and Howard Knight, Alan Sutcliffe, Jon van der Stap, and the rest of the dutch posse who really know how to party !

And finally the following publications for advertising the day : Revolution, Jarre Mania, Future Music, Sound on Sound, ST Format, Making Music, FAME, Q, Destination Jarre, Record Collector, EMIT, Radio WM and Ashley Franklin (BBC Radio Derby).