Young musicians make a scene at open mic night

In Great Yarmouth, a group called Play Produce Promote is helping young musicians learn about the music industry and build a creative community. This project is part of Freshly Greated, which works with young people to develop their talents and make the town more lively and artistic. Recently, Play Produce Promote organized an open mic night at St George's Theatre. The event was designed to teach young musicians that being successful in music is about more than just forming a band. They also need to know how to produce their own music and promote their shows to attract an audience. Jacqui MacKay, the program director, explained that the project is focused on music made by young people, for young people. She believes that if adults were in charge, it would not be as appealing to the younger crowd.

The open mic night featured several young performers, including brothers Harry and Rupert. Harry, who is 15, and Rupert, who is 11, performed two original songs. Harry shared that he used to be very shy and lacked the confidence to perform in front of others. He even admitted that he would cry at the thought of going on stage. However, thanks to his involvement in Play Produce Promote, he now feels comfortable performing and enjoys being part of the group. Harry has faced bullying because of his eczema and autism, but music has given him a way to overcome these challenges. Rupert also appreciates the supportive and respectful environment at the events. He said that both he and Harry used to feel like outsiders at school, but now they have found a group where they belong.

Their parents, Mark and Holly, have supported their musical journey from a young age. They bought Harry a guitar and Rupert a drum kit when they were just four years old. The boys started by playing music in their shed, then moved to the conservatory, and now they are performing on stage and even earning money from some gigs. Holly said she never expected her sons to progress so quickly. Mark joked that he hopes his sons will become famous and help pay off the family mortgage. However, he also emphasized that the most important thing is that music has made his sons happier, more confident, and better at socializing.

Another young musician, Dan, is also benefiting from the program. Dan plays in a band called Niche, and his father, Shaun, is proud of his progress. Dan has ADHD and autism, and being part of the band has greatly improved his confidence. Dan also performs in two other bands and enjoys watching other musicians at the events. Skar, another participant, said she moved to Great Yarmouth because she heard about Play Produce Promote. She believes the project is a great opportunity for creative people to share their talents and connect with others.

Jacqui MacKay, the program director, believes it is essential for young people to take the lead in organizing music events. She wants them to decide what kind of music they want to create and listen to. Play Produce Promote is all about giving young people in Great Yarmouth the chance to learn about music, perform on stage, and build a supportive community. The project is helping to create a new music scene in the town, led by the next generation of musicians.