CoMusica Inclusion and The Frequency Event

The 'Frequency' event was held in Hall 2 at Sage Gateshead on Tuesday evening November 10th. This was a celebration of the musical achievements of young people attending our CoMusica Foundation Training course and The Arches Academy weekend sessions funded through Youth Music's Fund C (CoMusica Inclusion).

We had a high number of performers due to the uptake of musical engagement this year with 14 MC’s and 6 DJ’s from Arches Academy and CoMusica Foundation Training sessions. To add spice to the occasion we had local celebrity special guests DJ Nemesis and MC Rockeye who both kindly waived their fee in respect for support they have received from CoMusica in their formative years. Attendance was 140+ young people including performers and there were no real issues on the night other than excited shouting, standing too close to the automatic doors on smoking breaks and general hyper teenage behaviour! The territorial nature of some of the groups of young people that attend CoMusica sessions can sometimes result in tensions that we constantly try to address. So on the night there was a little friction between two rival gangs but both sides spoke to the Programme Leader Sandy Duff directly and said they would never ‘kick off’ at our venue out of respect for what we do. The whole event was recorded for broadcast later in the year by Gravity radio www.gravityradio.co.uk

QUOTES “Some of the new MCs were on fire, Rainy C and whoever he was b2b with sounds unreal and Mc Esselbee is class as well” - Rockeye – special guest MC “Cheers for that feedback mate lifted my spirits coz I started losing interest in designing but now I'm going to carry on” - JC – a young person that was part of the steering group and created the design for the poster

“Absolutely gutted that was the last frequency like can't believe it but anyways we ripped that place apart for the last time well done to all acts as well they were quality! And thanks again Sandy for letting me come to do a set and be a part of it thanks mate” - JD – Arches Access participant and one of the performers on the night

General quotes from the audience

“Thanks for the night sandy was bouncing it was” AD “Was a laugh, wish it was on next year” DM “Frequency was an amazing night. I really enjoyed the event, and my heart was jumping to the beats of the music, it was immense!” SJ

Feedback from participants

"Well organised under 18s event that didn't have a spot of bother" SB “Frequency was a really enjoyable experience I would definitely like to do it again” ST