Bristol DJ To Play 'Africa' By Toto On Five-Hour Loop For Charity

Who doesn't get a bit of a buzz when they hear 'Africa' by Toto hit the sound system? Once it's finished, you might even think you're in the mood to listen to the amazing 80s track again.

But how about on repeat?

For five hours straight?

That's the challenge set by a Bristol music venue to raise money for an African charity.

Toto / Columbia Records

The club's DJ, Michael Savage, will play the US rock band's biggest hit on vinyl for 'five hours straight' at The Exchange in Bristol in November

Michael said people can be sponsored for how long they last through the hit song - or simply donate 'to not go to the event at all'.

He said: "What started out as a really stupid idea from a stupid drunken night out has become a stupid reality."

'Africa', released back in 1982, is Toto's biggest hit and still receives millions of streams - Michael said: "It's the go-to track to fill the dance floor."

Michael, who owns Prime Cuts record store in Bristol, says the track is his 'ultimate guilty pleasure'.

PA

He said: "I drunkenly suggested I'd run a night playing just that track two years ago. I kept talking about it and now I've got to do it."

Along with the track being played non-stop on a loop between 11pm and 4am, the adjoining bar will be playing cover versions and remixes of the 80s hit.

Michael said: "I love the track, it's unusual - the ultimate guilty pleasure - but I'm not sure whether I'll fall asleep or not.

"I feel quite sorry for the bar staff, they're going to be really stuck in the middle."

The event - surely either the ultimate night for 'Africa' fans or tantamount to all-out musical torture-by-endurance-test - is all for a good cause though. The musical marathon is raising funds for Temwa, a Bristol-based charity which supports people in remote rural areas of northern Malawi.

Michael said the charity had already received its first donation from someone keen to avoid the event altogether.

"I'm pushing for longer. I've asked the venue for 12 hours," he said.

"I'd like to set a new world record. I don't think there is one for this as far as I can tell but that's the plan."

Topics: UK News, News, Music, Funny, Charity, Bristol

Rachael Grealish

Rachael is a NCTJ qualified journalist from West Cumbria, with a passion for news, features and journalism. Outside of work Rachael loves plenty of coffee, running and reading.

@RachaelGrealish