Young people from across Newcastle and Gateshead are being given unique opportunities to work alongside local Black music artists to learn and perform raps and songs and create other forms of art as part of the city’s MOBO Fringe festival.
In the lead-up to the highly anticipated MOBO Awards on Tuesday 18 February, Newcastle will soon come alive with The MOBO Fringe - a five-day festival of culture, community, and creativity. As part of this, a programme is in full swing giving young people the chance to work with incredible artists and industry professionals, learning about Music of Black origin and its culture at first hand, inspiring the next generation of musicians and leaving a positive legacy in Newcastle.
Music Partnership North Newcastle (MPNN) has teamed up with the music and arts development organisation Northern Roots to offer a series of workshops in schools, led by artists Kay Grayson, Kemma Kay Sisi and Mimi. In a fun and inspiring environment, the young people learn more about rap music and song writing and have the chance to express themselves by writing and performing their own work.
Other young people from across Newcastle and Gateshead are being offered an amazing chance to be part of the MOBO Fringe and MOBO Awards thanks to another musical opportunity through the Fringe school’s programme.
Each year MOBO chose an award winner’s song to represent their young people’s programme. This year its Ezra Collective’s God Gave Me Feet for Dancing, and young people from across Newcastle and Gateshead are currently learning and performing this as part of a collaborative video that will be aired at the award ceremony, with a lucky selection also performing this live with local gospel choir Voices of Virtue at the MOBO Fringe Launch at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Thursday 13 February. Voices of Virtue has also been visiting a number of schools to teach the young people the song in person, making sure they are ready for the big night.
Newcastle Youth Choir Project will also be performing with Glasshouse ensembles Jambone, Quay Voices and Step Up Singing on the concourse at the Glasshouse on Sunday 16 February, at a performance not to be missed. They will be showcasing music by black artists and composers and the performance will feature a specially arranged version of God Gave Me Feet for Dancing, performed by jazz ensemble and young voices.
And the Tyneside Cinema has teamed up with the cultural education organisation GLOW to work with schools and youth groups to create a range of music videos and films, all inspired by the MOBOs coming to Newcastle. This will culminate in a unique event at The Tyneside on Saturday 15 February premiering the young people’s fantastic work.
Cllr Abdul Samad, Cabinet member for Culture, Music and Arts at Newcastle City Council said: “As soon as it was announced that Newcastle would be the host city for the 2025 awards, we have been working with communities and partners to create a meaningful and sustainable fringe programme, including something bespoke to inspire the young people in the city.
“I believe the MOBO Fringe 2025 programme has achieved this, and it is wonderful to see so many of our young people taking part and enjoying the schools and young people’s programme.
“I want to thank the artists and everyone else who has made this happen and contributing to the legacy that the MOBO Fringe is creating in Newcastle and across the region”.
Bex Mather, Director for Glow said: “We’re delighted to support the fantastic young artists who are creating this new work in their schools and youth groups, and we're loving working with Tyneside Cinema, Northern Roots, Cassini Films, Gateway Studios and My Life Productions along with Azula Bandit, Amaan Rashid, Shina Collins, Kieran Mlambo to do that.
“Bringing the MOBOs to the North East and working in partnership, raises the profile of the vibrant creativity of young people in Tyneside, helping our mission to ensure that all young people in Newcastle have access to high-quality cultural opportunities.