Sing City Autumn Programme

We’re delighted to present an exciting autumn Sing City programme for young and emerging singers and songwriters.  We’ve got workshops with grammy nominee Neil C Young, performance opportunities at Band on the Wall and masterclass classes with a trio of British stars: Mercury Prize nominees Field Music, Manchester’s psych-pop band Blossoms and The Futureheads frontman Barry Hyde. 

Now in its third year, Sing City offers music-making opportunities for young people to collaborate and perform across Manchester. The weekly workshops are a chance for like-minded young people to meet and develop their talents in singing and songwriting with the support from leading practitioners and guest artists.

This autumn the programme will include arrangement workshops with Grammy nominee Neil C Young, performance opportunities at Sing City Live as well as three songwriting and production masterclasses for 13-25’s with special guests Field Music, Blossoms and Barry Hyde.

The sessions will give young songwriters and producers the opportunity to learn about techniques, views and influences of experienced artists such as Peter and David Brewis as they demonstrate to attendees how they write and record their music.

The Mercury Prize nominated Field Music are regarded as one of British indie’s leading lights, with the Brewis brothers involved in a number of collaborative and solo musical projects to broaden their composition and production palette. From the classically influenced chamber-pop of Frozen by Sight, Peter Brewis’ project with Maximo Park’s Paul Smith, to the synthy new wave of David Brewis’ School of Language, their adaptability and creative drive is what sets them apart as musicians today.  Find out more here.

Blossoms are a band on the upward curve, having played at Austin’s world famous South by South West festival this year and signed to Virgin EMI records. They have impressed listeners and fellow musicians alike with a run of well-crafted, psychedelic-pop singles, and they’re currently in the process of recording their debut album ahead of a nationwide headline tour.  Find out more here.

Barry Hyde is the frontman of North East outfit The Futureheads.  Exploring post-punk, new wave and pop music, Futureheads were among the best of the UK’s “angular” movement which also included Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. Since releasing their 2004 debut album, they’ve produced a body of ambitious and inventive work, placing them alongside some of the best Indie-rock sensations.  Find out more here.

We’re producing these masterclasses in partnership with Generator, the UK’s leading Music Development Agency as part of their ‘Take Note’ programme.  Take Note will plot out music industry progression routes that connects the partners, practitioners and young people they work with to the wider music industry, showing how it is a multi-faceted business – not just an environment of ‘stars’ and passing fads, but a place where all different types of talents are welcome and usable.  The masterclasses are funded by Youth Music to help provide an industry road-map for young people who have an interest in developing musical skills alongside crucial industry ‘know-how’ and is essential for anyone looking to gain an insight into songwriting and production or develop their existing skills.

Come and join us!

 

Full Programme

Weds 7 Oct, 6-8pm: Sing City Masterclass: MUST BOOK HERE

Songwriting and Production Masterclass with special guests Field Music. 

Weds 14 Oct, 6-8pm: Sing City session 

Developing production skills.

Weds 21 Oct, 7-9pm: Sing City Live 

A great opportunity to share perform at one of the city’s most iconic live music venues.

Weds 4 Nov, 6-8pm: Sing City session

Open session to develop songwriting and vocal skills.

Weds 11 Nov and 18 Nov, 6-8pm: Arrangement workshops with Neil C Young 

Two special workshops focussing on style, arrangement and music theory

Weds 25 Nov, 6-8pm: Sing City Masterclass: MUST BOOK HERE

Songwriting and Production Masterclass with special guests Blossoms. 

Weds 2 Dec, 6-8pm: Sing City Masterclass: MUST BOOK HERE

Songwriting Masterclass with special guest Barry Hyde, frontman of post-punk band The Futureheads

Weds 9 Dec, 6-8pm: Sing City Session

Studio recording session

Weds 16 Dec, 7-9pm: Sing City Christmas Special

The last performance of the year at Band on the Wall