This week, we have a guest blog from Jenni Harrison, the Humber region’s representative for ‘Independent Venue Week’ (and also The Culture House’s marketing associate!)
Earlier this year I got chatting to Charlotte and Becky about The Culture House’s Music Meet Up which is focusing on creating a stronger network and more opportunities for North East Lincolnshire’s musicians and bands – and the whole concept got me incredibly excited. The Meet Up hosts gets musicians together and hosts guest speakers as well as the chance to share experiences and connect.
In my experience, ‘community’ has always been the strongest source of support, or backbone of a thriving and independent music scene. I have had many conversations with people who have been around Northern music scenes for decades (in places that aren’t major cities, where often opportunities are available in abundance) and one key thing has come up:
When there is dedicated space and community, the whole scene is uplifted.
Spaces for honesty, inspiration, ideas generation and general support have been integral to allowing people to own and share in the development of something that can thrive. And with a sprinkle of encouragement and in this case funded support from a dedicated organisation, plus local authority financial backing – that’s when things really start to click.
Quite frankly, it takes a small group of people to think, “Hang on, we are missing something here and we are going to be the ones that do that here” in order to create a platform and springboard for others, and that torch now exists to be passed and shared around.
The first Music Meet up at The Living Room was eye opening for me…
Firstly, it got me to check a few privileges. I am from Hull and although we have some brilliant foundations and history, we are not yet at the level of Leeds or Manchester. What we have however, is a thriving and nationally recognised grassroots scene with passionate communities which persist and have persisted for decades. When you’re surrounded by that throughout your life, you do take for granted that those opportunities exist and are unaware they don’t exist everywhere.
But more importantly, being in a room with the brilliant music people looking over the sea front in Cleethorpes got me truly inspired and motivated.
Grimsby and Cleethorpes has some outstanding talent and some real on-it people persisting to make things happen. As a group of about 10 – 15 music makers/music lovers, we discussed frustrations and setbacks, shared learning and swapped experiences. It was a display of proper grit and passion and a real look into what could grow further when people get into a room to set the world to rights and learn together.
From then on, I have been to as many of these meet ups as possible, both to present some marketing and creative direction guidance and to generally be a part of the discussion. As a result, I have seen connections being built and a community supporting each other – the feedback in the room is the biggest show of impact that this opportunity has created.
So, I wanted to write a few words today to try and motivate more people interested in music in the area to attend these Meet Ups, with a pen and paper and willingness to learn, support each other and swap contacts.
This is a space to grow something. These are the ripples that become waves in the future.
Check out the What’s On page for the next Music Meet Up and also Live in the Living Room events, featuring regional and national artists
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Jenni Harrison is a Hull based creative director working in the creative industries including in music. She is the Humber’s regional representative for Independent Venue Week, a member of the steering group at the New Adelphi Club (a famous grassroots venue in Hull) and is now serving on Hull’s new Music Board, driving the city’s ambitions within a 5 -year music plan. She has worked with and trained businesses and creatives from across the UK, many in Hull and North and North East Lincs for over a decade, and has recently started collaborating more with our local music and media creatives.
