BBC Introducing in line-up for music event

Following on from the #Scratchpad project at Colonnade House the spotlight is on the next generation of musical artists with an event called What Next? At St Paul’s, Worthing that aims to bring together young musicians, venues and producers in Worthing.

Speakers confirmed include Casey Heyburn (BBC Introducing), Chloe Brookes (Arts Council England), Alex Bailey (CEO Adur & Worthing Councils) , Elijah (Butterz & Lighthouse) and the evening will focus on the ingredients for a diverse contemporary music scene and how they can be brought together in Worthing.

BBC Introducing has been a first step in the careers of artists like Ed Sheeran, Slaves & Rizzle Kicks who attended AudioActive projects in their teens and are now Patrons of the #Scratchpad partner organisation. Uploaded tracks get sent to the BBC's local radio shows where they get listened to by the team of local presenters and producers. If they like them the tracks could get broadcast on local stations and even propelled onto the national stage through BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music, Radio 3, Asian Network and World Service.

Grime label Butterz was set up by DJ’s Elijah and Skilliam in 2007 and helped bring instrumental grime to the forefront of the electronic music scene, being ranked as one of the 10 Best Record Labels in 2011. Elijah is currently Associate Artistic Director at Lighthouse in Brighton curating and producing Last Dance, a new nationwide programme that examines the artistic and social importance of club culture.

As well as the speakers and debate, there is a chance to hear from upcoming local musicians who had the opportunity to meet and jam with AudioActive Patron Rag’n’Bone Man early on in the #Scratchpad project, when the Brit Award Winning blues man paid a surprise visit to the project at Colonnade House in January.

Places at this event are free - register here: https://whatnextworthing.eventbrite.co.uk

You will also be able to hear the music that’s been made during #Scratchpad at an outdoors event in the afternoon on Saturday 24th March in Montague Place, and at an evening of urban electronic music at Bar 42 on Thursday 12th April.

#Scratchpad is a partnership project between Adur & Worthing Trust, AudioActive, Northbrook Metropolitan College, As Described and Adur & Worthing Councils with generous funding from Arts Council England, Worthing Town Centre Initiative and Worthing Community Chest.