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Grime artist Eyez headlines showcase of young musicians

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Grime artist Eyez met with fans after the show

In April 2017, the two-year ‘Littlehampton Sounds’ project finished in style with a special gig at the West Sussex town’s Windmill Theatre.

A total of 19 young people from the project performed at the event, which showcased music from the area’s best young singers, bands, producers and beat makers. Young people also volunteered to organise and promote the gig, attracting over 150 local music fans – as well as handling the logistics, sound and tech equipment on the night.

Guest performers included acclaimed steel pan group Sussex Steel, plus a headline set from up-and-coming grime star Eyez.

Gig highlights

Check out the video from the night, featuring interviews with young musicians and staff from the project. (6 minutes)

The Littlehampton Sounds project was run by West Sussex Music Trust in partnership with Brighton-based music organisation Rhythmix. The project worked with a total of 160 young people across an area identified as a ‘coldspot’ for music-making opportunities.

The weekly workshop sessions gave young people the chance to learn new skills in music technology, songwriting, production, recording and performance across a wide range of genres.

As well as improving musical skills, the project also helped young people feel more of a connection with their local community. This was evident in many of the lyrics that young people wrote as the sessions went on – and the way they embraced the opportunity to organise, promote and manage the final celebration event.

Headliner Eyez, who’s hotly tipped in the UK grime scene and has previously appeared on BBC 1Xtra’s ‘Fire in the Booth’, was suitably impressed by the young musicians from the project.

I’m really grateful to share a stage with them – big up everybody who’s involved.

EYEZ

Before I came to the sessions I would never sing in front of anyone.

Alana and Abigail

It’s definitely helped with confidence and stage presence.

David, Toby and Elijah

It makes me feel proud that I know what I’m doing.

“West Sussex Music was delighted to work in partnership with Rhythmix to deliver the Littlehampton Sounds project,” says Emily from West Sussex Music. “It was a real joy to witness the impact of such a project on young people from a wide range of backgrounds in Littlehampton, and to be able to hear and see the resulting creative work on stage at The Windmill Theatre.

“The diversity of music produced, from original songs composed using music technology, with heartfelt and personal lyrics, to rock bands, ukulele duos and a superb local steel pan group, made for a really memorable and uplifting event. Our thanks go to all the tutors involved and the fantastic commitment and support from The Littlehampton Academy.”

Thank you to West Sussex Music and Rhythmix for sharing their photos from the night, and well done to everyone involved!