Deacon CommunicationsIn a vibrant display of community spirit and artistic collaboration, young individuals from a Greater Manchester town have joined forces with the acclaimed indie pop band, The Lottery Winners, to create a song aimed at fostering “joy and pride” in their shared hometown.
Titled ‘Song for Leigh’, the track made its grand debut last Saturday, premiering before an audience of thousands at the band’s homecoming concert held at Leigh Sports Village. The performance was met with an overwhelmingly positive reception.
Kerrick Mills, one of the young performers featured on the song, described the experience of hearing the track played to such a large crowd as “phenomenal.”
Thom Rylance, the frontman for The Lottery Winners, highlighted a broader vision behind the project, noting that working-class communities are “overflowing with brilliant songwriters, artists and dreamers,” but often lack the necessary opportunities or encouragement to flourish.
Deacon CommunicationsRylance’s sentiment resonated with Mills, who described the experience of collaborating with The Lottery Winners and his peers as “surreal,” particularly his first time in a professional recording studio. He expressed that creating a complete song was a “once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The band’s frontman further elaborated on their motivation, stating that they “know what it feels like to grow up thinking those worlds aren’t built for people like us.” He added that their aim is to “open a few doors, share what we’ve learned, or make someone believe they belong,” which he considers as significant as any chart success.
The project involved pupils from Bedford High School, Lowton High School, and the Spirix Youth Theatre, an organisation based in Wigan and Leigh.
This creative endeavor originated from a series of songwriting workshops designed to engage young people from Leigh, offering them a platform to articulate their experiences and aspirations for their town’s future.
IantheWarlowThe lyrics for ‘Song for Leigh’ were penned by the young participants, with The Lottery Winners providing support for rehearsals and the recording process.
To further celebrate the involvement of Leigh’s youth in music, dance, and the visual arts, a music video for ‘Song for Leigh’ has also been released.
The initiative was spearheaded by Amy Hodgson, a producer affiliated with the local dance collective Spirix, and received funding from Down to Earth and Arts Council England.
All proceeds generated from the song will be directed towards the Gill David Trust, a local charity dedicated to arts and education.
A recent study by consultants WeMadeThat on the creative industries in Wigan revealed that while the borough hosts approximately 500 creative businesses, only 1.5% of local employment is within the creative sector, falling below the Greater Manchester average of 4%.
Marti Boardman, another young performer involved in the project, expressed a desire for increased support for emerging artists, stating, “I don’t think there are enough opportunities for young artists like us to help us carry on in the industry and help us with our dreams, and I think more needs to be done about it.” She added that the experience was “amazing,” offering valuable insights and skills that will aid her artistic progression.
Business Style Takeaway: This initiative underscores the power of community-focused cultural projects in fostering local pride and providing invaluable developmental opportunities for young talent. Brands and businesses looking to connect authentically with emerging markets and demographics should consider similar partnerships that empower local creatives and celebrate regional identity.
Original article : www.bbc.com