Take Up Residency at Sage Gateshead This Summer
Sage Gateshead are offering free, week-long residencies throughout August for musicians and singers of all genres, to be able to create new work, develop their practice or prepare for a performance.
This year’s Summer Studio will take place from 5 August – 18 August 2019, offering rehearsal studio and facilities, as well as one-to-one sessions and clinics with industry professionals. Candidates will also have the chance for a professional portrait photoshoot and film a live session of one of their songs with Northern Stars Production.
Last year’s musicians included The Futurehead’s Ross Millard, who took the opportunity to work on some of his own project work and Talk Like Tigers whose music career is currently at a high with a forthcoming new single and gigs booked.
Talk Like Tigers, a hypnotic electro-pop band from the North East of England told Sage Gateshead how the Summer Studio really helped to give them a platform and advance their skills: “We got so much out of our Summer Studio residency last year! We wanted to develop our sound as well as work on our songwriting and the week gave us the chance to do just that. We were given an amazing, creative space with a grand piano and met other musicians who we are still in touch with, widening our music community.”
Their latest single Fruit is out on the 15 March and after spotting the band perform this at their Great Exhibition of the North performance last year, Tom Robinson premiered Fruit on BBC 6 Music showing what these residencies have the potential to lead to. They are now booked for a gig at Sage Gateshead on 22 March and they recently performed at Sage Gateshead’s New Year New Artists festival in January.
“We as a band felt supported, encouraged and positively challenged by the hard-working staff. The whole environment and organisation is inspiring! It’s certainly a creative hub – you can feel the energy in the air. We came away with more confidence in ourselves and more confidence in our plan on what we want to do in the future” added Talk Like Tigers.
Ross Millard took part in the residency enabling him to be able to have the time and space to concentrate on his latest theatrical project.
Ross said: “As a writer, this is my first theatrical project and so to have the time and space with actor / musician Maria Crocker to really concentrate on this, was invaluable. As musicians coming together from different ends of the country, the studio meant we could demo some of the songs and try different arrangements as much as we needed to and within such an intense focussed period; something we don’t normally get the opportunity to do.
Summer Studio really is accessible for everyone, regardless of your discipline. I’d encourage anyone new to the industry or who might already be working but who has a new idea and needs the space and time try something different, to apply for a Summer Studio place.”
Summer Studio is for music creators from all genres and backgrounds. During the week musicians will have the chance to rehearse, create and collaborate for one week in a dedicated space at Sage Gateshead. Candidates will be able to attend workshops on industry relevant topics such as stage presence, concert programming, writing funding bids, song-writing, PR and management. Last year’s workshops featured professionals from Sony Music, NARC Magazine, i-D Magazine and Funky Fly Music amongst others.
The deadline for applications is Friday 29 March. To apply please complete this application form or send a one-minute video on what you would like to achieve to TDP@sagegateshead.com
Please note that Summer Studio is only able to accept applications from those who will be aged 18 and over from August 2019.
If you have certain access needs and would like to speak to someone before applying, please email TDP@sagegateshead.com
Some funds have been allocated to assist in improving the experience for disabled musicians and some funding support is available for accommodation for those travelling from outside of the region.
The festival is produced by Sage Gateshead in association with NARC magazine.
Sage Gateshead is one of 40 PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development Partners. Sage Summer Studio forms part of a wider programme of talent development at Sage Gateshead that will provide opportunities for a broad range of musicians working across different music genres.
Ends
For further information, interviews or images please contact:
Gaynor Ellis, PR and Communications Manager, Sage Gateshead
- E. ellis@sagegateshead.com T. 0191 443 4690
Emily Taylor, PR and Communications Manager, Sage Gateshead
- E. taylor@sagegateshead.com T. 0191 443 4617 M. 07793 762 879
Notes to editors:
Sage Gateshead is an international music centre and renowned conference and event venue located in the North East of England. It is for artists, for audiences and for the North.
Every year it welcomes more than two million visitors. More than 400 concerts featuring all kinds of local, regional and international music, take place all year round. Music-making and learning activity takes place not only in the building but across the region, with 190,000 people of all ages taking part in over 10,000 music classes and workshops.
The iconic building, designed by renowned architects Foster + Partners, is home to Royal Northern Sinfonia and is a place where emerging artists are nurtured through dedicated programmes and festivals.
As a charity, the support it receives helps to ensure everyone in the community can experience the joys of music.