Young musicians were given the trip of a lifetime after a local star got them into a a famous rock band’s concert.
Participants of B Sharp, a music charity helping young people in Dorset and Devon with a life through music, were given an all-expenses-paid educational visit to Deep Purple’s 1 More Time tour at bp pulse Live in Birmingham.
The group was given the opportunity thanks to Deep Purple frontman, west Dorset-based Ian Gillan.
After being picked up in Lyme Regis by a Beat the Streets tour bus, the group travelled like rock stars in lounges on the bus before being welcomed at the stage door by Mr Gillan himself, who handed them their VIP passes. The group even had access to their own dressing room for the day.
Escorted by Mr Gillan and his team, the youngsters then spent the day touring the venue, meeting the technicians and backstage crew as well as the band themselves.
Kai, one of B Sharp’s participants, said: it was an amazing experience giving us insight into the world of music performance, music production and how all the parts come together.
Annabel, who has been with B Sharp for many years and is now part of the Young Leader Team, said: “The whole experience was like a fever dream.
I don’t think most of us really believed it was happening most of the time! and to see Deep Purple performing Smoke On The Water with everyone in the stadium singing along was amazing.
Pastoral Support Worker Gem, employed to support young people in sessions, said: “It was such an incredible opportunity for young people from a remote part of the country. We got to see the whole production including logistics, catering, merchandising and costume as well as the full music production and staging.
The volume of people it takes to put on a performance opened eyes to other professions you can take on in the music industry other than being a performer which was really beneficial to our young people.
B Sharp Director Ruth Cohen, added: “Ian Gillan’s generosity and thoughtfulness has enabled these local teenagers to have a once in a lifetime experience, and learn so much. The young people absolutely loved the whole day, from the drive up in the tour bus to the backstage tour! We were so proud of them too – they absolutely made the most of it, asking lots of questions and learning everything they could.
B Sharp offers weekly groups open to all from 0-25 in Lyme Regis, Bridport, Axminster and Seaton.
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