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Band on the Wall is best known as an iconic live music venue, nestled in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter, and owned and operated by Inner City Music.
It’s World of Song initiative, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and delivered in partnership with the wonderful folk at Community Arts North West (CAN), comprises six diverse projects curated solely for migrant communities and asylum seekers in Manchester.
The venue’s charity programme already engages with over 7,500 people each year, and it is hoped that the World of Song initiative will further expand the organisation’s reach and help celebrate the songs, stories and music that reflect Manchester today.
Alice McIlwraith, Head of Learning and Participation for Band on the Wall, said: “World of Song will explore the melting pot of musical cultures in the city and how traditional, popular and contemporary sounds interact and collide in a new place.
“We aim to provide support to communities, offering talent development and showcasing programmes that span a range of ages and levels of musical ability.”
The projects involved will provide migrants and asylum seekers access to activities and music making spaces which are housed above the venue and Copper Bar – Band on the Wall’s second stage.
One of the projects currently in progress is the Without Borders Youth Band, made up of young people from the global diaspora, aged between 12 and 19, in Manchester.
The group demonstrated two inspirational performances as part of Horizon’s festival last month and they are currently in the process of recording their debut single at Manchester’s Blueprint Studios, which is due to be released in October.
Katherine Rogers, Senior Producer at Community Arts North West (CAN), said: “Each week the band’s core group of 12 musicians collaborate and experiment, with support from musical professionals, to create original music inspired by their global heritages and other musical influences that they are inspired by. The band are equally happy playing traditional songs steeped in history right up to Billie Eilish!
“Without Borders is a bold statement celebrating Manchester’s newest voices, talent and the incredible cultural mix in this city! Manchester’s diversity is its strength and Without Borders are showing just how dynamic and exciting music is when we embrace this diversity.”
The music produced reflects the group’s own diverse experiences, developing their creativity and expression whilst also boosting their confidence and cultural pride.
Band on the Wall has a bold reputation for bringing the finest jazz, folk, blues and international music to Manchester.
Notorious for being at the centre of the post-punk scene of the 1970s where Buzzcocks, the Fall and Joy Division played some of their earliest gigs, the venue is now at the heart of cultural integration.
Band on the Wall offers annual memberships, giving supporters the opportunity to contribute to one of the UK’s most vibrant music venues and its vital learning and outreach programmes.
As part of this outreach, Band on the Wall’s core community programme offers weekly activities for all ages – ranging from baby and toddler sessions, yoga, adult choirs, jazz groups, and its Saturday Kids Club. These activities are all available at a low cost and, in some instances, can be accessed through bursary funding – made possible by previous NLHF grants.
To get learn more about Band on the Wall’s outreach, please CLICK HERE
