Mark your calendars for 12th October and get ready for a day full of music, dance, and celebration at The Sound of the Streets! This exciting event invites everyone to come together and enjoy the vibrant sounds of street music on Bridgwater High Street. Starting at 10:00 AM, the day kicks off with a solo saxophonist, followed by a diverse line-up of samba bands, street brass, drumming groups, and youth bands.
At 1:20 PM, don’t miss the chance to participate in The Big Sing, where you can join your voice with others to sing some well-loved songs. Want to get more involved? You can also join a street drumming group and be part of the rhythmic excitement.
Organised by The Sound of the Streets, a Somerset-based charity, this event brings joy to the streets through music. As Tim Hill, the charity’s organiser, says:
“We are bringing musical joy to the streets of Bridgwater, with lots of opportunities to join in, sing, and make some noise. This vibrant and life-affirming music is something we all need, and we’d love to see people up and dancing!”
Event Highlights
Street bands are a worldwide symbol of celebration, and this event will showcase a fantastic variety of performances, including:
- Ilu Axe: A dynamic samba band from Bristol.
- The Sound Invaders: Our very own youth band, founded in 2022, featuring young musicians on brass, wind, and percussion.
- Street Beats: A newly formed drumming group of local talent, led by Sean O’Hara.
- Tongues of Fire: A powerhouse of brass, reeds, and percussion led by veteran street musician Tim Hill, bringing high-energy music to Bridgwater.
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- Ilu Axe
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- Street Beats
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- Tongues of Fire
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- The Big Sing!
Tongues of Fire will also perform at the opening of Luke Jerram’s Fallen Moon, adding to the day’s festivities.
Get Involved!
This is more than just a day of music—it’s a community celebration. With opportunities to join in, sing, or drum alongside professionals and local musicians, there’s something for everyone.
Sean O’Hara leads the Beats on the Streets project, a youth drumming initiative open to all young people in Bridgwater. Sessions are held at Eastover Youth Centre and Victoria Park Community Centre, and they’re also starting a new Carnival Band Project, gearing up for next year’s Bridgwater Carnival.
Event Details
- Date: 12th October
- Location: Bridgwater High Street (centred around the Blake Statue, with performances moving up and down the street)
- Time: From 10:00 AM onwards
- Big Sing: 1:20 PM
This event is made possible by the Animating the Town Centre Panel, funded by the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government’s Town Deal.
About The Sound of the Streets
The Sound of the Streets is a charity dedicated to creating festivals, parades, concerts, and education projects that inspire young people to play wind, brass, and percussion instruments. They provide resources, podcasts, and films exploring the history and traditions of outdoor music and celebratory sound.
For more information, visit www.thesoundofthestreets.com or contact Tim Hill at tim@thesoundofthestreets.com.
Come and be part of this fantastic musical celebration on 12th October! Whether you’re singing, dancing, or drumming, we can’t wait to see you there.
Useful Links:
- 2022 Festival Film
- Ilu Axe (Bristol-based Samba Band)
- Tongues of Fire (Street Brass Band)