Free weekend of music-making kick-starts music charity’s new season

Morecambe’s More Music is launching its new season with concerts, creative workshops, and fun participatory sessions for people of all ages.

The gig season opens on Saturday (September 20), with a performance from Bryony Jarman-Pinto. The Jazz FM vocalist of the year nominee known for her jazz-infused melodies and introspective lyrics will perform songs from her album Below Dawn.

Bryony said: “It’s such a great space, I feel lucky to have it so close to home. I’ve spent a lot of time at More Music taking part in their music groups and festivals, but this will be a first time performing in Morecambe.

‘’I’m looking forward to seeing old faces and new in the crowd”.

Bryony will also be part of the team supporting Girls Can, a free two-day workshop over the weekend of Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 September for young women and non-binary people aged 12–19. Girls Can weekends are a place to form bands, grow as musicians, and expand creative skills with industry professionals.

More Music will have a strong presence at Love Lancaster Live this year.  On Friday October 10, they invite people to join a singing workshop as part of ‘China: A Musical Workshop’ at Lancaster Priory in partnership with Lancaster University. On Saturday October 11, under 5s can join a Clapping Song early years session at the Gregson, before More Music young musicians take to the stage for an afternoon gig.

Folk musician Fionn Regan enchants with intricate guitar work and storytelling on October 22, followed on November 14 by Moore and Fairhall, whose performances blend rich vocal harmonies with layered instrumentation.

On October 18, singer and educator Dave Camlin leads With One Voice, a one-day singing workshop open to participants aged 14 and over. The day will include a joyful public singalong on Morecambe Prom to mark World Singing Day.

Parents and carers can introduce under 3s to music with our unique Magic Islands of Music experience on Friday 31 October 31 and Saturday  November 1.

A Halloween-themed weekend will see musician Maja Bugge commissioned by More Music to create and perform a live soundtrack to the Swedish / Danish 1922 horror film Haxan depicting the history of witchcraft, screening at Morecambe Winter Gardens on Saturday November 1.

Also, in this iconic Morecambe venue More Music will present the Halloween-themed Monster Music Show on Sunday November 2,  giving young musicians from More Music projects and Digital Media students from Lancaster and Morecambe College a platform to perform their original compositions.

Lantern Making Workshops on November 29-30 will lead up to the popular annual West End Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday December 6 and followed by a family-friendly Christmas concert of Sufjan Stevens’ festive favourites on Friday December 12. 

In addition to this busy gig programme, More Music runs weekly sessions in singing, songwriting, and instrumental music for all ages and abilities. Sessions are inclusive, and bursaries are available to ensure participation is accessible.

Marianne Barraclough, Executive Director, More Music, said: “This autumn is filled with fantastic gigs and opportunities to make music here in Morecambe. 

‘’From Magic Islands of Music, our beautiful and immersive musical experience for under 3s and their adults, to our weekly Seagull Café social music sessions for over 60’s, there is something for everyone to try something new this autumn!

‘’We’re so pleased to have local jazz superstar Bryony Jarman-Pinto performing here this weekend, who will be followed by a fantastic variety of incredible artists.  We’ll also be supporting lots of up-and-coming young bands to perform at More Music, as part of Love Lancaster Live and at the Morecambe Winter Gardens.

‘’Plans are well underway for the West End Winter Lantern Festival on Saturday 6 December which will see the streets of the West End sparkle with beautiful paper lanterns and tunes from Baybeat Streetband and others.

‘’If you’d like to get involved, please do visit our website, or pop in for a chat!”