Pick of the Week: XLR Music Sessions

17/11/2015
Jess Connett

Find out what’s on the Rife Guide this week, including free sessions where you can learn to make music.

Bristol has an amazing music scene. Each week, dozens of bands, DJs, singers, musicians and music-makers descend on our multitude of venues, from massive clubs to tiny studios. People live for music in this city (shout out to Big Jeff!) and the enthusiasm shows no sign of going away, as we’re going to get our first really big live music venue, the Bristol Arena, in a couple of years.

But, if you’re an aspiring artist, getting into music can seem like an impossible dream. Short of winning a TV talent show or being spotted by Beyonce singing covers on YouTube, it’s tough to get noticed. But, we think we’ve cracked the secret to success: being proactive. Here’s an opportunity for you to take your musical talent to the industry professionals, rather than waiting for them to come to you.

For the next four weeks, if you’re aged 11-19, you can go to free music sessions run by XLR at Knowle West Media Centre. You’ll get the opportunity to learn how to sing, rap, play an instrument, start a band, make beats, perform live and record songs. The staff at XLR are experts in their field, able to tell you all about the music scene and give you help and advice that goes way beyond musical technique.

These sessions are just a taster: if you’re into the music scene, you can use this as a springboard to make all sorts of connections with influential people and get involved in projects and creative ideas that go beyond making music. XLR encourage previous participants to mentor new groups of up-and-coming young musicians, which could be a huge boost your CV and could give you experiences which help springboard you into the career of your dreams.

The XLR sessions take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Knowle West Media Centre for the next four weeks. The two sessions are for different age groups, so make sure you go to the right one. Sessions are completely free but it’s a good idea to let them know you’re coming. Full details of both sessions can be found here and here, on the Rife Guide.

Planning to go to one of these sessions? Send us a link to the music you’ve made, or show us your best music-making selfie via Twitter, Facebook or on Instagram.

More events this week:

Make some crafts and talk about mental health with this fun workshop

See behind the scenes of the artwork at Spike Island

Join the Deaf Youth Club’s Detective Project