SOHO MUSIC MONTH: FREE MUSIC AND CULTURE FESTIVAL JULY 2021

Neighbouring central London districts Carnaby and Soho unite with a free month-long celebration throughout July. A series of activations will include talks, exhibitions, music history tours and a one day record market on 18th July with Independent Label Market who will curate an incredible line-up of emerging record labels.

EXHIBITIONS, WALKS AND TALKS

Ronnie Wood pop-up gallery - One of the world’s foremost rock musicians, Ronnie Wood has pursued a remarkable parallel career as an influential fine artist. His art acts both as a record of, and the perfect counterpoint to his career in music from The Jeff Beck Group and the Faces to the Rolling Stones. Ronnie will personally curate this exhibition which will include signed limited edition prints all of which will be available to buy. 57 Carnaby Street.

Museum of Youth Culture will exhibit rare, vintage photographic prints from renowned photographers such as Terry O’Neill, Gavin Watson and Normski featuring iconic artists including Blur, The Damned, The Buzzcocks, Rolling Stones and David Bowie performing in and around Soho. The exhibition will showcase original vintage Soho club flyers, music themed vintage pin badges, and ephemera including a piece of the old Carnaby Street patterned road that was originally laid down in 1973. During their residency the Museum will be collecting photos, ephemera and stories for a new Soho based collection which will be permanently preserved within the Museum of Youth Culture's archives. 57 Carnaby Street. 

Creative Media Network hosts a series of activations, talks, showcases and launches in collaboration with Code & Culture, Illust Space, Kingdom Drama School, Mr Snappy, Platform LDN, PRS Foundation, PPL, SHPR. Cultural curators Code and Culture team up with L.A based NFT auction house Illust Space, to host a gallery showcasing music themed NFT art by renowned UK and international digital artists. Ashley Walters & Nagajan Ward will present the amazing Monologue Jam, showcasing talented students from Kingdom Drama School. Platform LDN will run a programme of music and creative-industry masterclasses for diverse young creatives. 5 Upper James Street. 

Free music history tours run every Wednesday in July, taking guests on a journey around Soho where some of music's greatest legends once walked. Visit where the Beatles recorded Hey Jude, the famous Jazz club Bag O’Nails, where the Rolling Stones kick-started their career and the spot where Jimi Hendrix lived, worked and played. Tickets are via a free ballot at carnaby.co.uk.

Free talks will be presented by Soho aficionado Chris Sullivan; journalist, DJ, painter and founder of the infamous Wag Club. Sullivan gathers together a line up of true Soho ‘ace faces’ whose tales of misdemeanour, style mongering and general high jinx within the square mile will have you rolling in the aisles. Guests include all-round King of Soho; Mark Powell, Philip Sallon; the man of a million outfits, who has been at the centre of London night life and style since the 70s , and Princess Julia; the Queen of The Blitz club, DJ at legendary Soho nights. Hosted at The Clachan. Tickets are via a free ballot at carnaby.co.uk.

SONG COMPETITION

Calling all composers, musicians and artists! Carnaby launches a competition to find an anthem. Lyrics have been written as a homage to Carnaby and members of the public, amateur or professional, are invited to create a song with these lyrics. The winning prize includes a day in the studio to record and mix this song and a track of their own choice, with the winning song being released this Winter. The winner will be chosen by an exciting panel of judges including Suggs, BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills, co-founder of Soho Music Month Vincent Olutayo, producer and founder of Mcasso Music Mike Connaris, and more. Closing deadline is 31st August 2021.

For full details, dates and to enter the competition visit https://www.carnaby.co.uk/musicmonth-2021/

SHOPPING, EATING, DRINKING

A diverse line up of exclusive activations, promotions, collections, new cocktails and dishes will feature in-stores and restaurants including: Rolling Stones’ global flagship store limited edition vinyl launch on 9th July where the iconic band will release A Bigger Bang: Live On Copacabana Beach. Live music from Gypsy Dynamite at Cahoots Underground bar, limited edition Korean ‘BlackPink’ cocktail at Jinjuu, music nail bar at God Can’t Destroy Streetwear, pop-up vinyls shop at Oliver Spencer, in-store DJs at Paul Smith, live music at Ain't Nothin’ But, drinks whilst you shop at GANNI, exclusive custom made tints at Moscot, Motorhead, Iron Maiden and Slayer collaboration launches at The Great Frog, Ugly Dumpling has a limited edition Shepherd's Pie dumpling for the month dedicated to Keith Richards favourite type of meat, and for a bit of fun Kaleido Rolls are giving away a free roll to those who dare to give the name of a song with the word “roll” in its title. 

The festival’s charity partner is Youth Music, a national charity that works with children, young people and smaller youth charities to help nurture young aspiring talent in the music industry by giving young people the chance to make music. Matt Griffiths, Youth Music CEO says: “Soho Music Month is famous for bringing exciting sounds, culture and celebration to the city. Thanks to our exciting new partnership, we’ll be able to spread the power of music beyond the event, to benefit young people nationwide. We’re really looking forward to being involved in such an iconic music event .”

@CarnabyLondon / @ThisIsSoho / Carnaby.co.uk / ThisIsSoho.co.uk

For further information and images please contact Meghan Ryan at Sister London [email protected]

020 7287 9601

NOTES TO EDITORS

Carnaby

Carnaby is in the heart of London’s West End, where over 100 retail brands of quality and distinction and over 60 independent restaurants, cafes and bars can be found across 14 streets, including the world famous Carnaby Street. Carnaby is a unique and iconic experiential shopping, dining and leisure destination.

Soho

Soho is the creative hub of London’s West End with a vibrant mix of independent and concept fashion stores, restaurants and bars. Shaftesbury’s Soho portfolio includes 39 shops and 31 restaurants, bars and cafes across several Soho streets including Berwick St, Broadwick St, Denman Street and Brewer Street.

About Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia. All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes’ walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk

Independent Label Market

Since launching in London in 2011, ILM has brought together hundreds of independent record labels across the UK and in Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Barcelona, Rome, Brooklyn, LA, Toronto and Tokyo to sell their fresh vinyl produce directly to the public at that traditional goods exchange – a market stall. They are celebrating their 10th Anniversary in style with a series of special events showcasing the diversity of independent music from the World’s most eclectic and innovative record labels. 

Independent labels at the market include Domino, Mute, Soul Jazz, Rhythm Section and Bella Union, who will sell a special selection of vinyl. @indielabelmkt

Youth Music

We believe every young person should have the chance to change their life through music. Yet our research shows many can’t because of who they are, where they’re from or what they’re going through. Our insights, influence and investment in grassroots organisations and to young people themselves means that more 0–25-year-olds can make, learn and earn in music. 

Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People's Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors. Between 2019/20 projects funded by Youth Music reached 82,269 children and young people. Instagram- @youthmusic_charity 

Museum of Youth Culture

The not-for-profit organisation working on preserving, educating and celebrating the history of youth culture in the UK and beyond will be popping up in Carnaby to bring a mixture of activations throughout the month. Launching a gallery and retail concept in the heart of Carnaby Street to celebrate the eclectic history of Music in Soho. The space will showcase a new collection of iconic music posters curated fresh from the archive, supported by an extended edit of Music related book and zines, and featuring a vintage black and white analog photo booth giving you the opportunity to snap that old-school Soho selfie.

@museumofyouthculture

Creative Media Network

Creative Media Network (CMN) aims to develop aspirant and confident young people who possess the skills, networks and resilience needed to help them build prosperous futures.

Working with talented young people from groups often underrepresented in the creative industries, our development programmes bring aspiring creative talent (aged 16-24) into direct contact with real industry professionals and some of the biggest youth-culture brands. Over 12 immersive weeks of accredited training and skills development, beneficiaries are challenged to lead and deliver against genuine creative briefs – supported by a network of creative industry mentors. 

@cmnworks

@codeandculture_ / @platformldn / @illust.space / @kingdomdramaschool / @prsfoundation / @ppl_uk