Alternative Spaces programme at Bloom Building, Birkenhead
The Alternative Spaces programme was a year long residency of events at Bloom Building, Birkenhead. The series was commissioned in response to the UK’s return to live music in 2021 as a way to ensure that gig spaces were as safe and accessible as possible. With a foundation of community consultation and research around issues of safety in live music spaces, Where are the Girlbands produced events representing a diverse body of people on and off the stage, centring safety and inviting gig-goers and venue owners alike to question the traditions of gigs.
Bloom Building
The fantastic organisation who commissioned and facilitated this programme of events is Bloom Building. Based in Birkenhead, the venue is a progressive and unique space rewriting the rules around how the worlds of culture, community, social action and mental health can flourish together. By working with and commissioning local arts organisations, Bloom reimagines how culture can act as the catalyst for change and cultivate social value. Bloom is open both to hire and collaboration, always hosting exciting and original events that can be found at their website https://www.bloombuilding.co.uk/
Alternative Spaces Launch Event
On the 4th July 2021 the Where are the Girlbands Alternative Spaces programme was launched at Bloom Building, Birkenhead. This event was the first physical manifestation of the Where are the Girlbands project and so the space aimed to reflect the values of the Instagram platform - a mindful safe space to discuss the local music scene and experience live music. The event combined Where are the Girlbands’ Social Sundays format (a chill, low-pressure conversational space to discuss the future of the local music scene as well as forming new connections and strengthening community amongst creatives and gig-goers alike) with a mindful experience of live music, consisting of a meditative breathing exercise led by Lyndsay Price leading into a live set of calm, ambient music by Eve Machin and Sophie Bernice.
Eve and Ella introducing the event and the Alternative Spaces series. The audience were invited into conversation, resulting in a beautiful discussion of access, safety and creative spaces.
Co-founder of Where are the Girlbands Eve Machin took to the stage to perform a magical set of ambient music.
Photography Development Day led by Adele Robinson
Liverpool-based photographer Adele Robinson led a photography development day consisting of networking, a workshop around promotional photography (with local musicians as models), knowledge sharing and crit style conversations between peers. The event was designed to facilitate photographers of all levels of experience with cameras and other equipment being totally optional, just a phone was perfect! The event embraced experimenting with different creative elements while engaging in critical discussions with fellow photographers.
You can find Adele Robinson on Instagram @adelerobinson
Songwriting Development Day with Gen Degenerate
Gen Degenerate is a Liverpool-based musician and lead of Gen and the Degenerates. Gen provided a day of workshops, conversation, space to explore new methods of approaching songwriting and a chance to network and share skills with local musicians.
You can find Gen and the Degenerates here - https://www.genandthedegenerates.com/
Visual Arts Development Day led by Ella Fradgley
The Visual Arts Development Day was an opportunity for visual artists across disciplines to meet and network through the format of a cross-discipline art crit. Each person brought some work they would like to share and receive feedback on, the group then took it in turns to share their pieces, being asked questions prompting a discussion about the work when presented. The workshop was a very personal way to get to know other creatives in Merseyside and formed both collaborations and friendships.
Poetry Development Day and Open Mic Night led by Emily McChrystal
Local poet and author of Soul Notes Poetry Emily McChrystal led a jam-packed day full of poetry workshops, networking with poets and an opportunity to perform during the evening’s open mic. During the Poetry Development Day Emily took participants through workshops aimed at developing confidence around performance while working collaboratively on writing new pieces. The Open Mic Night was open to both workshop participants and the public to perform and support local poetry. The event provided a safe and welcoming space for those new to performing, those re-entering performance spaces and for those who wanted to connect and find community with other creatives. You can find Emily McChrystal on instagram @soulnotepoetry and you can find videos of performances via this link; https://www.instagram.com/p/CSZjZfUM3ty/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Emily McChrystal was the wonderful host of the workshop and open mic. You can find Emily @soulnotespoetry on Instagram
Heath Fitz attended the workshop and performed at the open mic! Find more at https://hafitz750.wixsite.com/discofitzx/post/the-disco-fitz-blog?fbclid=PAAaZQIopCl5oEszPvXc69CUJVgRjvV20CJxZsf1EndxARxyEr8vc90v4VJ-w
Samya O’Grady and Muldog performed a mellow acoustic performance to start of the event. You can find them on instagram @samya.ogrady and @joemuldog
The evening ended with an impactful performance from Kristrun, bringing the evening to its peak with an electronic set. @kristrunusic
A Mellow One with Where are the Girlbands
A Mellow One with Where are the Girlbands was an evening of chill vibes, live music, spoken poetry, a space for discussion and a guided meditation led by Lyndsay Price. This event used the feedback from the launch event and online community consultations to create a mindful return to live music.
For videos from the event, follow this link; https://www.instagram.com/p/CTfP5a-MjjK/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Witch Palace and Where are the Ghoulbands Halloween Party
In collaboration with local organisation Bitch Palace, this Halloween special event aimed to challenge the traditions of gig spaces by merging the worlds of live music and halloween party. With trick or treat sweets, a vote for best costume and face-painting as key parts of the evening, this was an event filled with fun, horror and thrilling performances. Artworks were also projected onto the walls of Bloom Building including works by @ella_crabtree and @ashleighsands as Bitch Palace are experts at creating cross-disciplinary night life events. Find Bitch Palace on Instagram @bitchpalacepresents - there is also more information about Bitch Palace on the ‘Collaborative Events’ page.
For videos of the event, follow this link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CVsyBTQsBgs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Amy and Nikki from Bitch Palace with Ella and Eve from Where are the Girlbands, the producers of the event.
The night ended with a spooktacular performance from Natalie and the Monarchy performing a raucous set with the audience jumping out of their skins and onto the dance floor. You can find them on instagram @natalieandthemonarchy
Ella from Where are the Girlbands with Kayleigh (the face behind Down to Earth Promotions)
The night was headlined by the magical Lazygirl and her lazyband, returning to the stage for another night of dreamy tunes. Find Lazygirl on instagram @lazygirlmusic. Photography by @rachelwondersphotography
Down to Earth Promotions Takeover Gig
Down to Earth Promotions were a Liverpool based events organisation aiming to improve diversity on the stage in Liverpool. Their takeover event was a collaboration formed by the Sunday Socials workshops in which founder Kayleigh expressed her desire to create a live music event which aligned with the aims of the Alternative Spaces Series. The gig was full of dancing and community, bringing acts to the stage from all across the North West including Liverpool, Manchester, Warrington and Leeds.
The event was photographed by the incredible Rachel Wonders, an artist specialising in creating dreamy portraits in live music settings. You can find Rachel on instagram @rachelwondersphotography
For videos of the event, follow this link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBkGOmssp6/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
All in the Same Boat
All in the Same Boat invited artists who were either new to performing, beginning their musical journey or settling into a new grassroots scene to perform in a place where everyone was in the same boat. Providing a supportive, judgement-free space for de but performances and a chance for musicians to network, the event was a real success. After the event each artist was provided with a starter pack from Where are the Girlbands, giving them advice on places, people and next steps that would help their journey to settling into the Liverpool music scene.
For a full review of the night, check out this article on Melodic Distraction - https://www.melodicdistraction.com/articles/watgb-all-in-the-same-boat?id=49495
For videos of the event, follow this link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbcLIis4fN/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Pop star in the making Giorgia Bortoli stole the stage with glamour and good vibes. You can find Giorgia Bortoli on instagram @giorgiabortoli
Olivia Browse is an indie-pop sensation using cleverly crafted lyrics, catchy melodies and a creative approach to identity to create tunes to have you dancing around your bedroom or curled up in your feelings. You can find her on instagram @olivia_browse
Hayley Coleman is a poet who works with feeling and rhythm. You can find her work @wordsbyhayleycoleman
Rhiannon Hope performed as part of the open mic section of the event, with great success! Rhiannon went on to work with Where are the Girlbands for a future event. You can find Rhiannon on instagram @rhiannonh0pe
All in the Same Boat 2
After the success of the first All in the Same Boat event it was clear that there was a need for a more cross-discipline event within the project, and so the second edition of All in the Same Boat was born, this time with a focus on spoken word poetry. This event shared the same concept, a night of debut performances, supportive vibes and a chance for poets, musicians and promoters alike to network an find new connections within the Liverpool scene. There was an additional open mic section at the end of the event for those who wanted to settle into the space before making the decision to perform.
The event resulted in this poetry collection - https://www.melodicdistraction.com/articles/watgb-all-in-the-same-boat-poetry-collection?id=50016
For videos of the event, follow this link - https://www.instagram.com/p/CZsA0F7MXXt/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
The Big Adventure Tour Takes Bloom Building
The final event of the Alternative Spaces series was in collaboration with musicians Teah Lewis and Hallworth. This event was the Liverpool leg of the Big Adventure Tour across the UK, bringing together musicians from different areas to connect and perform together. Where are the Girlbands produced the event, putting forward Liverpool artist Evie Moran as a support.
A full write-up review of the event can be found here - https://www.melodicdistraction.com/articles/watgb-big-adventure-tour-takes-bloom-building-a-review?id=50505
Videos of the event can be found here - https://www.instagram.com/p/CaEyKPRscZs/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Evie Moran is a Liverpool-based musician whose delicate vocals and paired back guitar will lift you up into a heavenly reverie. You can find Evie Moran on instagram @evie.moran
Teah Lewis is a musician who tells stories through sun-soaked songs. She is also featured on the Comics Youth x Where are the Girlbands Safe Spaces Podcast. You can find Teah Lewis on instagram @teah_lewis