Our Big Gig is the UK’s biggest community music festival. Similar to The Big Lunch, this fun annual event aims to bring communities together and is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbours – but through music instead! This weekend, 11-13 July, 174 free music events will take place – with more than 7,000 musicians and 2,000 volunteers helping to host gigs.
Over the course of the weekend there will be an exciting and diverse array of music ranging from local choirs to steel drums, orchestras, open mic, beat boxing and performers singing and playing in talent competitions. All the events are free to attend and anyone can take part either as an active participant or merely a member of the audience. If you’re an aspiring musician or would like to be involved in any way you can, register here.
Aside from musical entertainment many events have activities such as face painting, dance and song writing workshops and food and drink stalls added into the bargain so there’s something for everyone. Each event is individual and offers something different musically so that all tastes are catered for.
Fancy popping along to your nearest Our Big Gig? Locations and line ups can be found here: http://www.superact.org.uk/ourbiggig/events/all-events
Our Big Gig is an ‘Inspired by 2012’ project and last summer saw over 200,000 people attend free concerts. Superact, who created the initiative, has given grants to 150 Community Organisations and this year also oversaw a crowdfunding campaign, via Spacehive, which allowed a further 14 events to take place. Many of the events are being held in social spaces such as youth centres, cafés and record stores, which in turn could also help boost local businesses.
