Amplified Tour: Looking back on a summer of music
- Bristol Beacon News
- Guest blog
This summer, we packed up our electric green van and turned up the music in neighbourhoods across the city.
In this guest blog, our Community Engagement Officer, Connie Badley, who brought the tour together, reflects on a summer of musical fun.
Bringing music to the community
Bringing along some of our musical friends, we visited four community centres and hubs in Bristol this summer. The aim of our Amplified Tour was to share free musical experiences with professional musicians for communities and families across the city.
We visited:
- Greenway Centre with Mariachi Wey, traditional Latin musicians
- Easton Community Centre with Congolese drumming trio Servo
- Windmill Hill City Farm with Ambling Band, a bright pink fun brass band
- Filwood Community Centre with musicians from Bristol Reggae Orchestra and Graft graffiti workshops
As expected, our enthusiastic audiences got stuck in, singing, dancing, clapping, and even having a go on some instruments. For those who might not have been familiar with Bristol Beacon, our team were available to chat and share different ways to get involved.
Putting it all together
We worked in collaboration with the different community spaces to create each event, creating musical experiences relevant to the needs and interests of each community group. All ideas were welcome!
Filwood Community Centre requested a Reggae Brunch, where Bristol Beacon brought the Reggae, and Filwood brought the brunch. We were joined by musicians from Bristol Reggae Orchestra and Graft graffiti workshop, who set a relaxing and fun vibe for over 100 people. At Easton Community Centre, we had Congolese trio Servo performing and had an enthusiastic visit from children and staff at the neighbouring nursery.
Mariachi Wey provided entertainment on the tour as part of Southmead Festival at Greenway Centre, getting people dancing with their fun Latin music. At Windmill Hill City Farm, Ambling Band braved the rain and played pop classics on the new Garden Theatre open-air stage, then united audiences with a pink parade while marching round the farm!
The tour reached over 600 people and spread a lot of joy across Bristol in the lead up to Bristol Beacon’s reopening.”
Connie Badley, Community Engagement Officer, Bristol Beacon
Help us bring music to every corner of our city
We loved bringing people together through live music this summer. As part of our Mail A Musician programme, bring live musicians to local care homes, schools, hospitals and more. Would you like to bring some live music to your local area, particularly to communities or groups who might enjoy a musical treat?
Contact community@bristolbeacon.org and tell us why you’d like to see some live music near you.
Mail a Musician
Mail a Musician
Mail A Musician was created to bring the joy of live music direct to the hearts and homes of Bristol communities.
The initiative, which we started during Lockdown in 2020, has delivered personalised pop-up gigs on doorsteps, concerts in school playgrounds and surprise performances in medical centres and hospitals. Through Mail A Musician, we ensure that the power of music, connects, uplifts and shines out across the city.
Music for Everyone
Music for Everyone
Music is a universal language that knows no boundaries and connects communities.
We invite all members of Bristol’s communities to share, celebrate and participate in creative projects, performances, workshops, networks and social meet-ups. Our comprehensive programmes collaborate with Bristol’s diverse communities to make sure music is at the heart of our city.
Find out more about our work with communities in Bristol.
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