Our Big Gig has lined up more than 330 live shows for what is expected to be the UK’s biggest celebration of live music.
The community-led initiative, which runs 11-14 July, expects more than 200,000 gig goers to attend the free concerts
Gigs will cover a huge range of music and location - east London’s Troxy venue will see 15 choirs participate in a 13 hour ‘choir off’ while the pUKES, a punk rock band armed with ukuleles, will both play live and lead workshops on a barge on the Regent's Canal.
Down in the south east, events will include a musical recital in the ruins of the Fishbourne Roman Palace in Sussex. Participants will be invited to select archaeological tools to use as instruments and form an orchestra.
Local promoters and organisers are able to host their events due to funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Arts Council England.
Alan Davey, chief executive, Arts Council England, said: ‘Our Big Gig will be a real summer highlight. Up and down the country, communities will be involved in running their own music events, in a range of venues, introducing audiences to new bands, artists and styles of music.
‘This is a great opportunity for communities to think big, to nurture home grown talent, and to come together, in celebrating the many joys that music can bring. I can’t wait to see the results.’
Our Big Gig 2013 builds on the success of previous annual Bandstand Marathon events seen last year during the Olympics.
The initiative is coordinated by arts organisation Superact with last year’s performance taking place during the closing of the London 2012 Games.
The community-led initiative, which runs 11-14 July, expects more than 200,000 gig goers to attend the free concerts
Gigs will cover a huge range of music and location - east London’s Troxy venue will see 15 choirs participate in a 13 hour ‘choir off’ while the pUKES, a punk rock band armed with ukuleles, will both play live and lead workshops on a barge on the Regent's Canal.
Down in the south east, events will include a musical recital in the ruins of the Fishbourne Roman Palace in Sussex. Participants will be invited to select archaeological tools to use as instruments and form an orchestra.
Local promoters and organisers are able to host their events due to funding from the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Arts Council England.
Alan Davey, chief executive, Arts Council England, said: ‘Our Big Gig will be a real summer highlight. Up and down the country, communities will be involved in running their own music events, in a range of venues, introducing audiences to new bands, artists and styles of music.
‘This is a great opportunity for communities to think big, to nurture home grown talent, and to come together, in celebrating the many joys that music can bring. I can’t wait to see the results.’
Our Big Gig 2013 builds on the success of previous annual Bandstand Marathon events seen last year during the Olympics.
The initiative is coordinated by arts organisation Superact with last year’s performance taking place during the closing of the London 2012 Games.
