Aspiring young musicians from across Stoke-on-Trent, who took part in our Sound Check programme, rocked the City’s Sugarmill recently as part of the Make Some Noise Power Tour.
Sound Check has been delivered by Make Some Noise in conjunction with over 15 Youth Centres across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, over the past four years. The project, which has unfortunately now closed due to a lack of funding, provided after-school workshops, where 11 to 18 year olds could learn to play an instrument, improve existing skills and perform with others, working alongside experienced musicians in a safe, community environment.
Visitors to The Power Tour event enjoyed performances by four new bands brought together during just 12 weeks of band building sessions at Milton Youth Centre, Moorlands Park Youth Centre, Queensberry Youth Centre and Soniq Studios and Youth Centre, City Centre (Hanley).
The audience were treated to renditions of classics such as ‘I love Rock and Roll’ by Joan Jett, ‘Jumping Jack Flash’ by the Rolling Stones and ‘Chasing Cars’ by Snow Patrol, amongst some original music including ‘Take My Advice’, written by 16 year old Alex Willis from Milton, who plays guitar and performed the song alongside fellow band members; Connor Watts aged 16, Courtney Simpson aged 13, Laura Lees aged 16 and Amie Lythgoe aged 16, all from Stoke.
Amie Lythgoe, who sang lead vocals said, “I love music and have always said I wanted to be a singer since the age of 5. Make Some Noise have really helped me a lot and this is making my dream a reality. I would say to another young person that if you want something so bad, you are going to have to work for it, no matter how long it takes.”
19 year old rapper Sameed Hanif (also known as NV) from Longton who worked alongside Make Some Noise Music Leader Alan ‘Kurly’ McGeachie at the Queensberry Youth Centre delighted the audience with his original and poignant lyrics.
Stoke-on-Trent College band Pearl Warlock raised the roof with a number of heavy metal tracks including ‘Enter Sandman’ by Metallica and ‘Ace of Spades’ by Motörhead, whilst fellow guest band The Artists from Uttoxeter, who took part in last years Power Tour and who have benefited from Make Some Noise workshops during their earlier years, closed the event with some of their original music, ‘What I Came For’ and ‘Desmond’. Students from Stoke-on-Trent College also documented the event with photography and video coverage.
Tim Sharp, CEO for Make Some Noise said:
“I would like to thank everyone involved in making this years Power Tour such a success. It is fantastic to see and hear these talented young people perform live on stage after just a few weeks of working together as a band. This could not have been possible without their hard work and commitment and with the invaluable support and training provided by our team of professional musicians, Music Leaders and Youth Centre workers.”
Gemma Bradshaw, a Stoke-On-Trent City Council integrated youth development worker at Milton Youth Centre, said, “The whole experience for the young people has been amazing – they have developed so much personally its like seeing another side to them, which has been very interesting.
