The summer solstice, 21 June, saw another hugely successful Make Music Day across the UK.
Make Music Day is an entire day dedicated to celebrating the joys of music and its ability to not only entertain but bring communities together. The global grassroots event began in France as Fete de la Musique in 1982 and is open to anyone who wants to take part. It showcases all kinds of music in all kinds of spaces, performed by young and old, professional and amateur, beginners and experienced musicians. This year 120 countries were involved in the celebrations and 1,000 cities hosted Make Music Day performances.
UK music makers–many of whom were Making Music members–performed in a host of diverse locations from tube stations, schools and libraries to roof tops, town squares, airports and moonlit moors. Festivities ranged from carnival troupe Kinetika Bloco parading through London Bridge, Durham Music’s folk ensemble jigging to the sunset atop the North Pennines, sassy Shunpike Social Club blasting from the roof of Waverley Mall, Edinburgh, and Rising Voices Recovery Choir serenading audiences on SS Great Britain, Bristol. The day featured countless workshops, open mics and participatory performances, while musicians gave audiences plenty of opportunity to enjoy the wide range of music styles and genres stretching from a capella to acid jazz and beyond.
Commenting on this year’s events, Barbara Eifler, Chief Executive of Making Music and Co-chair of Make Music Day UK, said:
Make Music Day was a runaway success. It gets bigger and better every year. Celebrations on 21 June involved thousands of performers and organisers from all corners of the UK and millions more across the world. Music connects us, it transcends language, culture and politics and is something in which everyone can participate. That’s why Make Music Day is celebrated so widely and is so important today.
Celebrations took place as far apart as the Isle of Lewis and Penzance with more than 1,000 performances clocked up across the British Isles and an estimated audience of 300,000 people. Darlington and Durham County led the way hosting 150 performances, while Merseyside, Norfolk and London also hosted a large number of events throughout the day for appreciative audiences.
There was also a continuous live stream of music from Make Music Day in Argentina, Australia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Nigeria, UK, USA, and more, showing the rich diversity of live Make Music Day events around the world. Have a look at some of the music that was performed around the globe below.
Preparations are now underway for Make Music Day 2020, which will be held as usual on 21 June. Sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know about events and opportunities.
View the 2019 Gallery and keep sharing your photos and videos on social media @MakeMusicDayUK using #MakeMusicDayUK.
Great idea for Make Music Day 2020? Get in touch.
