A celebration of local artists, music-making and heritage across the borough and online kicks off with the launch of podcast series, our music our freedom
Following the recent announcement of Wandsworth Live – a showcase of the borough’s grassroots venues, platforming an array of talented artists – Welcome to Wandsworth – the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture announces further details of the Month of Music programme, demonstrating further support for the borough’s vibrant music scene, past and present.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Culture, Kemi Akinola, said: ‘Wandsworth has been shaped by music created here. Music from around the world has played an important part in bringing communities together and creating a shared sense of wellbeing. That’s why as part of our year as London Borough of Culture we want to celebrate our musical heritage, musical influences and the many musical voices that make up our borough.’
Our Music Our Freedom is a 12-episode podcast series that delves deep into the rich musical heritage of the borough produced by BBC radio presenter Max Reinhardt and presented by Anabel Provensal and Rita Ray. The series launches with 6 episodes with the remaining programmes to be released at regular intervals.
‘We hope that people across the borough and beyond will be surprised and delighted by the wide variety of music and venues, musicians and musical communities, that feature along our voyage through the musical world of our borough. Our Music is indeed Our Freedom and long may it bring us all closer together and continue to be the sound of tolerance, of education, of liberation, of knowledge and of our Love for each other.’ – Max Reinhardt
The first 6 are: –
Co Się Dzieje? (What’s happening?) East European Sounds and Stories
Looking at the Polish and Bulgarian communities and their music in Wandsworth and how life and music has been developing especially in recent decades. The large Polish community will be reflected by voices talking about its clubs, its churches, its welfare organisations and listening in to its music. Also featuring voices and music from the Bulgarian community.
What’s the Craic? Irish Sounds and Stories
The Irish Community has been one of the larger communities in the borough over the last 50 years. Exploring the history of Irish music in the borough over that time with longtime resident Jeanne Rathbone, instrumentalist Gerry Diver and singer/musician Lisa Knapp
Take Me Where The Music’s Playing – Live Music Venues in the Borough
A whirlwind tour of local music venues in the borough from the Clapham Grand, which celebrates its 125th anniversary this year, to grassroots spaces – The Half Moon in Putney, The Bedford in Balham, Magic Garden in Battersea and World Heartbeat in their new home in Nine Elms.
A Tale of Two Schools: Spencer Park & Elliott
Featuring the stories of the unique and illustrious careers of students of the former Elliott School (since 2012 it has become Ark Putney Academy) – including Jamie XX, Aphex Twin, Burial, Hot Chip and the Maccabees – and Spencer Park – including Dennis Bovell, Noel McKoy and Matumbi, Pasademas, Investigators and Marie Pierre.
Cymande…The Greatest Band You’ve (probably) Never Heard Of
Cymande are a British ‘Nyah-Rock’ band from Balham, originally active in the early 1970s. The two founder members lived on the same street, Byrne Road, and discovered a mutual love of music. The band they formed in 1971 released three albums before disbanding in 1974 – completing USA stadium tours with soul and funk stars like the reverend Al Green. After gaining newfound popularity when their music was sampled by premiere league rap artists, including the Fugees, De La Soul and MC Solaa, they reformed in the 2010s and have toured worldwide ever since.
The Fair Field Full of Folk
Folk music across the decades in the borough for venues and locally based musicians, from Bert Jansch’s Guitar shop and the legendary Half Moon pub in Putney in the ‘70’s, through the peaks and troughs of the music in the 80’s and 90’s, into the 21st century with its visits from Waterson-Carthy and stories and music of a prominent folk musician’s life in the borough from Lisa Knapp and some of the artists on Wandsworth based labels including Domino Records.
Further episodes include Dennis Bovell – Life & Times of a Dub Icon, A Tale of Two Schools: Spencer Park & Elliott, Desi Sounds and Stories, Sankofa African Sounds and Stories, Wandsworth’s Jazz Buzz, Wellbeing in Wandsworth, and Wandsworth Music Go Round… Sounds & Stories from around the borough.
Sing to Thrive (15 – 18 March) is Welcome to Wandsworth’s celebration of singing for health and wellbeing. A series of FREE pop-up events will take place in shopping centres across the borough, featuring Wandsworth choirs and soloists from National Opera Studio. These include Southside Shopping Centre (15 March) featuring Dover House Singers, Some Voices Choir and National Opera Studio soloists; Tooting and Broadway Market (17 & 18 March) with The Great Gustos, Hearts & Lungs Singing Group, Southwest Songbirds and local school choirs, National Opera Studio soloists and local primary school choirs at Putney Exchange (19 March) and performances on 21 March as part of the finale event: The Beat Goes On at Battersea Power Station featuring Thames Philharmonic Choir, Battersea Power Station Community Choir, Wandsworth Performance Troupe and others.
Wandsworth Council has commissioned a new song for choirs to perform from composer Bernard Hughes and lyricist, Helen Eastman, who were selected by a panel of local music partners, including Wandsworth Music, World Heart Beat and National Opera Studio. The song will be premiered at The Beat Goes On finale event. Full event details to be announced.
An additional song was commissioned from composer Aga Serugo-Lugo which has been co-created with community and healthcare settings for those who may struggle to access singing opportunities. A recording and a film are being created of this song representing a range of health and community groups.
Celebrating youth talent, Rock The Grand is the ultimate band competition in Wandsworth for 13 – 19 year-olds. The final takes place at the Clapham Grand on 2 March – come along to see the next generation of Wandsworth music stars as they follow in the footsteps of Wandsworth own RAYE, Mick Jones (The Clash) and The Maccabees. 18 bands submitted video entries to the competition, and the eight finalists were selected by a panel of experts from the local music scene, including guitarist, singer and songwriter, Adam Martin, and Nina Jackson, Venue Manager at The Half Moon, Putney.
The eight finalists, who will be going head-to-head on stage at The Clapham Grand, are The Badgers, Spree, EDC, Painted Faces, Red Handed, Soft Focus, Maltererz Jazz Band, and Any Which Way.
‘I was blown away by the quality of the entries – there were many bands that I would gladly pay to go see. I can’t wait to see them all in the final event!’ said professional musician and first round judge, Adam Martin.
Wandsworth Live (14 Feb – 12 March), a month of live music that celebrates Wandsworth’s independent music venues including The Bedford in Balham, Sambrook’s Brewery and Taproom in Wandsworth Town, The Magic Garden in Battersea, and World Heart Beat Embassy Gardens in Nine Elms, will launch with a line-up of local talent performing at Tooting Food Festival over Valentine’s weekend.
Bloodlines & Basslines On Da Beat (ODB) x Morocco Bound is an intergenerational live music showcase of South West London’s finest emerging talent and new music from On Da Beat’s Writing Camp, celebrating local heritage and grassroots creativity (22 Feb) with special guests.
Find out about everything happening during our year as London Borough of Culture at welcometowandsworth.com
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