Music venues across the UK are more than just places to catch a gig with a pint in hand – they’re the cultural glue that binds communities together, explains Gavin Sharp, chief executive officer of Band on the Wall.
To me, they are vital hubs of connection, capturing a moment in time, a sound, a scene, and preserving it in our collective memory. These spaces don’t just host music. They help shape history and folklore.
Take Band on the Wall, for example. When you think of our venue, your mind might drift to the late ’70s and the raw energy of early Joy Division or Buzzcocks echoing through its walls. Similarly, The Cavern Club in Liverpool instantly conjures the spirit of Merseybeat, anchoring a sound to a specific moment in time.
At Band on the Wall, we’ve been at the heart of Manchester’s music scene in one guise or another for almost a century and we’ve ridden every wave of change. The city has transformed in countless ways but our famed venue, in the heart of the Northern Quarter, has remained a constant, drawing in crowds from every corner of Manchester’s diverse communities.
To give context, back in the late seventies Band on the Wall was the only licensed venue in the city centre that regularly programmed and presented reggae music alongside the core jazz programme that our organisation initially become known for. However, as the years passed and the city’s communities diversified, the music we celebrate has naturally expanded to cover many different genres.
We often describe it as ‘Cultural Music’ – sounds which represent particular people, places and traditions. Ultimately, this has led to a wider community learning and engagement programme.
Our new World of Song scheme is funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and is being delivered in partnership with Community Arts North West (CAN). It’s an example of how our community outreach goes way beyond gigs.
Our sister title, Social Care Today, recently reported on the launch of the scheme.
The programme comprises six distinct projects curated solely for migrant communities and asylum seekers in Greater Manchester and builds on our existing community programme which already engages with over 7,500 people each year.
As with almost all cultures, writing songs plays a significant role as communities begin to deal with and communicate their challenges as they arrive in a new country, whilst also coming to terms with the reasons for them having to leave their homelands in the first place – whether those reasons are economic, environmental or due to conflict.
The negativity, which is part of the populist political narrative regarding the impact of migrancy, is misplaced and should be challenged. We think music is the ideal vehicle through which to constructively challenge that narrative, especially with young people.
Manchester, like many other provincial cities, is infinitely better for its rich cultural and ethnic diversity. We are seeing greater levels of migration, with many people arriving to the city as migrants or refugees. What’s more, many Mancunians have ancestry that’s migrated into the city, whether that be from rural England, Ireland, Europe and more latterly South Asia and the Caribbean. Celebrating that is fundamental to the city’s success.
Another reason to celebrate, is there’s a lot of negative press surrounding people who have fled to the UK, so I feel it is deeply important to shine a light on those more positive and hopeful stories. With this in mind, we have launched another scheme called Without Borders Youth Band, which is aimed at young people from the global diaspora aged between 12 to 19. These youngsters are being supported to create a unique band inspired by their cultural heritages with opportunities to create new music, perform and record.
Other projects which form part of our two-year programme include a heritage film by Emmy-winning director Tamana Ayazi. The feature will celebrate migrant-led music in the city and explore individuals’ heritages.
When I hear about how much our programmes help those involved, I feel immense pride towards our organisation. In future, I want to keep this momentum growing – I’d really like to see our existing schemes development over the next few years. Meanwhile I also want to spread the word about how we’re trying to promote inclusivity across Manchester. Gig goers are always surprised to hear about how much activity is happening outside of our shows, and it’s been great seeing those same people sign up for our sessions.
So, have a quick Google, catch a gig, meet up with friends, and check out the amazing programmes and opportunities that will undoubtedly be on offer at a venue near you. By supporting your local venues, you’re helping them remain vital spaces that bring communities together.
Images: Band on the Wall.
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