Music Month to showcase area’s music at its best
Music Month, an initiative set up by organisations across 1066 country that have come together to support and develop the vibrant music sector in Hastings and Rother, starts this week with over 150 events taking place.
Running from Valentine’s Day (14 February) to St Patrick’s Day (17 March) it will encompass some of the area’s best music events from larger venues, to the many pubs and bars that are the heart of the local grassroots music scene.
Hastings and Rother have been declared a Music City and the formal launch of this idea will take place on Monday 27 February at The Palace, Hastings as part of the UnConvention; a one day music conference featuring panellist conversations with BBC Introducing the South and workshops about the future of the music industry.
A major element of Music Month features the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition (HIPCC). Now in its 13th year, HIPCC brings world class musicians to Hastings to compete for the coveted winning title but this year there is more. Local pianists have the chance to get involved and play on a grand piano in probably the most obscure of venues; the world’s largest underground skate park, The Source. Pianists can book a slot to play at The Source on 14 February while local skaters and BMXers enjoy the thrill of their ride.
Hastings Fat Tuesday runs from Friday 24 February to the main event on Tuesday 28 February, Fat Tuesday; a night of fancy dress, fabulous feathers, beads, masks and music. Twelve venues host The Fat Tuesday Tour where 24 bands play 20 minute sets in 3 venues and headlining this year is UK Britpop trio, Dodgy best known for their chart hits ‘Staying Out for the Summer’ and ‘Good Enough’.
The area has a proven record for attracting top names and Bexhill welcomes Simon Green aka Bonobo to the De La Warr Pavilion on 4 March to launch his new album, Migration. This electronic masterpiece is Bonobo’s sixth album.
De La Warr Pavilion director of external relations, Sally Ann Lycett commented:
“The De La Warr Pavilion, heralded by its audiences as one of the best music venues on the south coast, is proud to be part of Music Month – an exciting initiative linking music professionals and music lovers across 1066 Country. With a capacity of 1500 (standing) and up to 1000 (seated) we are part of the rich and varied mix of music venues in Hastings and Rother – including festivals in Battle and Rye- and are perfectly placed to be the go-to venue outside London for top music artists such as Bonobo who actively seek venues of character and intimacy to reach their audiences. Coming up later in the year – Tom Chaplin, Maximo Park and Alexis Taylor.”
Full Music Month event listing can be found at: visit1066country.com/musicmonth
Posted by sally on Monday 13 February 2017