Music Matters:Turn the music up and stay safe

Over recent weeks, the early shoots of recovery were gaining strength. The news that the Key Theatre, The Cresset and the New Theatre were all embarking on presenting events was most welcome.

Music was set to play a huge part in providing the foundation for a solid programme of live and streamed events. Musicians (like comics) are always ready to perform. Their sets are well-rehearsed and most musicians are excellent buskers too. Acts are generally extremely self-contained, making programming music performances relatively safe. They’r e also generally popular, so relatively risk-free too. This is terribly important with limited auditorium capacities. Venues have worked hard to create covid-secure spaces, welcoming audiences to some excellent live, and streamed, music. The Halloween announcement of a second lockdown has brought those plans to a sudden halt.

The Key Theatre’ s line-up included a screening of Stevie Nicks 24 Karat Gold – The Concert, matinee screenings from The Royal Opera House and Little Mix LM5 - The Tour Film.

Next month the Key is scheduled to host a live event with West End duo Edwin Ray and Emma Jane Morton in their musical theatre revue – Two Singular Sensations (pictured) – scheduled for December 3.

Live music is also planned for The Cresset’s programme with Peterborough Operatic & Dramatic Society currently rehearsing their return to the Bretton venue on Saturday 5 December with a concert entitled Unmasked 2020 - PODS.

Looking further ahead, Peterborough Male Voice Choir and Peterborough Voices with Peterborough Festival Brass have been busy with social distanced rehearsals preparing a concert for Christmas on  December 12, at Peterborough Cathedral.

Audiences, venues and performers will be anxiously waiting for further guidance over the coming weeks. Once there is a green light to safely reopen, please be sure to book for events – the sector needs our support. 

One place the show should be sure to go on is via Peterborough’s New Theatre. The venue is offering a live stream and download link to That’ll Be The Day’s Rock & Roll Christmas, straight to your home.

This pre-recorded Christmas Special is available on December 3 and includes live links to the cast on the night. Visit: newtheatre-peterborough.com for more details. 

Elsewhere, Stamford Arts Centre continues its hugely popular online programme and November includes the London Serenata. The concert is available evenings at 7.30pm until 7 November  via  Facebook / YouTube.

Audiences can also enjoy Jazz in the Ballroom. Trumpeter Jeffrey Brown features in a concert recorded in the Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre’s Ballroom. The concert is available for one week from  Fri 13 Nov at 8pm–via Facebook / YouTube. Visit: stamfordartstheatre.com for details. 

2020 has certainly needed music to get many of us through this crisis over recent months. The creativity, inspiration and solace we find in music will continue to support our struggle with the pandemic and performers will always be ready to bring us back together. So, wherever you are this month, turn the music up and stay safe.