Demonstrating best practice in powering small to medium scale outside events, the Bandstand project uses a compact, portable solar battery powered system to power outside live music events across the UK in 2021 and creates a forum to educate and engage local audiences and empower and support local venues.
Music Declares Emergency has put together a team of specialists who will deliver the programme. These experts will source the power packs and PA, transport the backline to location, manage set build, stage logistics and crowd control, whilst curating a line-up focused on local music networks with a zero carbon emissions remit.
Working and partnering with local venues and councils, music tech courses and cultural organisations such as the Creative People and Place Network, the solar Bandstand will create sustainable events in parks and outside spaces. We aim to utilise the UK’s extensive network of existing bandstands, which stand at the heart of community outdoor spaces and offer the opportunity to focus on local heritage as part of the recovery strategy from the pandemic.
Photo: Paul Blakemore
A priority of the programme is education, with encouragement and outreach to host communities to learn more about how to create and manage zero carbon power options and take advantage of mentoring opportunities from our specialists in the systems and processes behind Bandstand. We are also committed to offering a space to local community groups to publicise their actions and concerns around their environment and community well being.
By engaging with local music networks and environmental and community groups, we aim to ensure full representation and involvement in the Bandstand events and will look to support and amplify local concerns and campaigns by creating media opportunities.
We have currently identified potential sites for the Bandstand project’s first iterations and have agreement for inclusion on the programme for two planned events. Given the uncertainty around the return of live music we cannot at this point be precise on a time frame but we can confirm that the project is ready to roll out.
For information on Bandstand email [email protected]
Photo: Paul Blakemore
