Community hubs through local music venues: fostering identity, legacy, and optimism
Band on the Wall: A Pillar of Manchester's Music Scene and Community Engagement
Band on the Wall, a storied music venue in Manchester, has been a significant part of the city's cultural landscape for nearly a century. Beyond live music performances, the venue is deeply committed to community engagement, cultural heritage, education, and nurturing music talent.
In the late '70s, Band on the Wall was the only licensed venue in the city center that regularly programmed and presented reggae music. Today, its music offerings have expanded to cover various genres, reflecting Manchester's rich cultural and ethnic diversity.
The negativity surrounding the impact of migrancy in the populist political narrative is misplaced, and Band on the Wall is working to challenge this negative narrative. One of their key initiatives is the Cultural Heritage Project, a National Lottery Heritage Funded film project in partnership with Community Arts North West (CAN) and filmmaker Tamana Ayazi. This project highlights the multinational contribution to Manchester's music scene and promotes cultural education and narrative change.
Another significant initiative is the World of Song scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) and delivered in partnership with CAN. This scheme builds on Band on the Wall's existing community program, which engages with over 7,500 people each year. The World of Song scheme comprises six distinct projects curated solely for migrant communities and asylum seekers in Greater Manchester.
One of these projects is the Without Borders Youth Band, aimed at young people from the global diaspora aged between 12 to 19. This unique band inspires its members to create music that reflects their cultural heritages, with opportunities to perform and record.
Band on the Wall's CEO, Gavin Sharp, expresses immense pride in the organization's programs and aims to keep the momentum growing and promote inclusivity across Manchester. He views music venues as vital hubs of connection and cultural glue for communities.
In addition to these projects, Band on the Wall serves around 7,500 people annually through diverse engagement activities such as the Baby Club, Little Music Makers, Gospel and Soul Choir, and the Golden Voices Club, catering to people of all ages and backgrounds. The venue has also launched the Spotlight Artist Development Scheme, supporting and showcasing emerging musical artists, thus fostering local talent beyond simply presenting live performances.
By supporting local venues like Band on the Wall, community members help them remain vital spaces that bring communities together. Music is seen as an ideal vehicle to constructively challenge the negative narrative, especially with young people. As Band on the Wall continues to evolve, it remains a beacon of cultural and community engagement in Manchester.
[1] Band on the Wall, (2021). Band on the Wall announces new World of Song scheme funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund
[5] Band on the Wall, (2021). Band on the Wall launches Spotlight Artist Development Scheme
By working actively on programs like the Cultural Heritage Project and the World of Song scheme, Band on the Wall promotes a home-and-garden atmosphere that embraces cultural diversity and enriches Manchester's lifestyle. As Gavin Sharp, Band on the Wall's CEO, insists, music venues are not merely entertainment locations but vital communities where people of all backgrounds can connect and grow together. Additionally, initiatives like the Spotlight Artist Development Scheme help nurture local talent, fostering a vibrant and thriving music scene within the wider community.
