Returning to In-Person Rehearsals: How Lockdown Changed SWITCH’s Sound

SWITCH is our in-house band for young people with additional needs or disabilities. For the last 8 years they have met at MAC to write and rehearse songs together. During lockdown they had to move to online rehearsals, which meant that they had to change the way they wrote their songs.

Writing songs with your bandmates when you’re not in the same room as them is quite a challenge, but SWITCH found a way to do it. They made use of Logic to produce beats, explored different online instruments to create melodies, and wrote lyrics together using the whiteboard function on Zoom. This new way of working has given them a new sound.

Check out SWITCH's latest music video 'SWITCH Feelings'

When, earlier this year, they were able to return to in-person rehearsals, it meant they had to change their way of working once again. They set themselves the challenge of learning the songs they had made online so that they could perform them at the Open Mic Show at MAC in December.

Have a listen to the first live take of their latest song SWITCH Feelings. We’re so impressed by the way they have adapted with the Lockdown situation and translated so creatively from in-person to online rehearsals and back again.

SWITCH will be performing at the Open Mic Show on Friday 17th December at MAC. This is not a public event, but if you are aged 13 to 25 and would also like to perform in the show, you can sign up on our website. 

We are also looking for new members to join the band. If you know someone aged 16 to 25 who might be interested in developing as a young musician or vocalist, and has an additional need or disability, we’d love to hear from you! 

0121 446 3222    |     jen.loffman@macbirmingham.co.uk    |    @macmakesmusic