PRESS RELEASE 10th June 2015
Embargo: 10th June 2015
ONE MONTH TO GO TIL THE LAUNCH OF THE 2015 OUR BIG GIG!
It’s one month to go until Our Big Gig the largest annual community music event will take place in
towns and cities across England from the 10th – 12th July. Young people and community groups
across the country have been working to bring their communities together to celebrate local musical
talent and put on free music events for everyone to enjoy.
This year communities are crowdfunding for their events through Spacehive, the crowdfunding
website for civic projects, with support from the Department of Communities and Local Government
and not for profit arts organisation Superact.
In Bristol young people from the Bristol Urban Artists Development Project, led by international jazz
and blues singer Kizzy Morrell alongside young people living in sheltered housing are planning a free
music celebration in the exciting new Bristol city centre community space, the Projekt.
In Lincoln Our Big Gig in the Arboretum was created by two 15-year old girls who shared their views
about living in the neighbourhood and expressed a lack of things to do for people of their age. The
event has grown from strength to strength and is now an annual celebration of the park and talent
in Lincoln, with this year set to be bigger than ever.
In Bradford young people from All Star Entertainment are presenting ‘Sound of the Suburbs’ as part
of the annual ‘Urban Festival’, taking place on Sat July 11 in Centenary Square. Working in
partnership with Bradford City Council, they will be creating their very own Pod Village! The main
stage will feature live music from some of the UK and Bradford's finest, dj sets, and special guest
appearances plus street dance.
In London the Diamond Jubilee Gardens in Twickenham’s Embankment will present a showcase of
local music in entertain and inspire people to take part in local music making opportunities.
Organised by local volunteers this annual event will see over 50 performers, both young and old,
take to the bandstand.
In Birmingham, Acocks Green Carnival has raised £546 through Spacehive to support a music stage
and music workshops space as part of the annual carnival. There will be a dedicated youth stage
showcasing music from local schools and young performers from across Birmingham.
It’s not too late to get involved this year. Register now for the opportunity to secure £200 towards
free music events in July or register as an unfunded event to be part of this nationwide celebration.
More details can be found at www.ourbiggig.co.uk.
Or you can help make a local event happen by pledging money at
http://spacehive.com/initiatives/OurBigGig.
Baroness Williams of Trafford said: “This summer, Our Big Gig will give music lovers across the
country the chance to enjoy a toe-tapping weekend of free bands and boogying in lots of live local
gigs – as well as the chance to get to know their neighbours thrown into the mix.
“And, if you’re a budding promoter and want to support your local music scene, there’s still plenty of
time to get involved.”
Caryn Tomlinson, SVP Communication, Universal Music Group said: “More than 350 000 people have
had a wonderful day out at an Our Big Gig event over the last three years, the weekend showcases
brilliant new bands, ensures that instruments get dusted off each year and above all, teaches young
people new skills - all with music at the heart - a truly great way to build a sense of community.”
Notes to Editors
DCLG – The Department for Communities and Local Government's job is to create great places to live and
work, and to give more power to local people to shape what happens in their area. www.gov.uk/dclg
Superact - Superact is a not-for-profit CIC that uses music and the arts to develop and deliver social
impact projects in the UK and abroad. Working in the key impact areas of community development,
justice and health and wellbeing, Superact creatively improves lives by empowering individuals and
strengthening communities.
www.superact.org.uk
Spacehive - Spacehive is the first crowdfunding platform for civic projects, with the aim of making it
as easy as possible for as many people as possible to bring their civic environment to life. We do this
by providing tools that help people to develop their project ideas and attract funding to make them
happen.
Our Big Gig
Our Big Gig is an annual event that brings communities together to celebrate their local musical
talents and get more people involved in music making.
An official Inspired by 2012 legacy event, Our Big Gig grew from the Bandstand Marathon; an iconic
London 2012 festival event that helped close the London Games with 9000 people across Britain
simultaneously performing Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’.
The summer event will run from 10th to the 12th July 2015
Contact Information – Photos, info & interviews
For general enquiries about Our Big Gig and Superact, contact:
Katharine Lane [email protected] or 0117 2140366 / 07762060628
www.ourbiggig.co.uk