By young people, for young people

Emerge Youth Festival comes to Southampton this September

Southampton Forward has partnered with SoCo Music Project who are developing a new youth festival in Southampton, led and co-designed by a group of young people. Emerge Youth Festival is a vibrant free event that captures the voices and ideas of over 200 young people from communities across the city.

Facilitated by SoCo Music Project, in partnership with Southampton Forward, Emerge Youth Festival will take place at Hogland’s Park on Saturday 7^th September from 12 noon to 6pm, with all of Southampton’s young people invited to come along for a range of music sets by local bands, DJ’s and solo performers, as well as free creative workshops, craft stalls and food vendors.

Emerge Youth Festival will be the outcome of extensive engagement with young people aged 11-18 conducted by SoCo Music Project over the winter – as part of this process a group of young people put up their hand to continue their involvement and lead on the design and creation of the festival. One of the key themes emerging from the research was that young people wanted a festival that was not designed for them but created with and by them.

“Through school assemblies, small group work, open music sessions and detached youth sessions, 62 young people stepped up to help co-create this free festival that showcases the emerging talent and creativity from the city,” said Josh Deen, Community Music Practitioner at SoCo Music and Emerge Project Manager.

Southampton Forward wants the festival to help create pathways for future careers. “Through this process, the young people will develop skills as creative producers, practitioners and performers,” said Kate Jackman, Event Producer at Southampton Forward. “It’s also an opportunity to give voice to our young city and allow them to explore the issues and themes that are important and relevant to them”.

As well as the fantastic music lineup, young people can explore various stalls from local independents and vendors, including face painting, clothing, crafts and more. “Alongside the music and stalls, there will be lots of opportunities to take part in free creative workshops at Emerge” said Shannon B, Music Leader at SoCo Music and Emerge Project Co-ordinator. “Why not take a singing workshop with one of our tutors? Who knows, you might be starring on one of our stages next year!”

Emerge Youth Festival is supported by funding from Arts Council England, Esme Fairbairn Foundation, Southampton City Council and GO! Southampton. A range of local partners are also getting involved, including ZoieLogic Dance Theatre, In Focus Education and No Limits.

ENDS

For further information, contact:

gabbyh@southamptonforward.org.uk

To find out more about Emerge Youth Festival, click here.

To find out more about SoCo’s music engagement programmes, click here.

About SoCo Music Project

SoCo create opportunities for more people to take part in music and help people discover something new, learn new skills and nurture their creative potential. They also run sector-support programmes to improve lives through training and networking.