Looking to a band performing from the crowd, with other crowd members in front.

Applications for the 2024-25 Vibe Collective are now open!

Calling music lovers aged 18-25! We are looking for 10 Southampton-based 18-25-year-olds to create music events for young people at Turner Sims, one of the city's top music venues.

November 4, 2024

Our 10 recruits will form The Vibe Collective. This group will work with industry professionals to plan and present gigs and events for young people at Turner Sims, the music venue at University of Southampton. We are looking for people with a range of musical tastes who are passionate about the music scene in Southampton. You’ll gain incredible experience of working in the music industry along the way.

The Vibe has definitely changed how I see arts and culture in the city. Turner Sims saying you guys aged 18-25, you are going to shape the next 20 years in the city and we value your opinions - that was really special.
Josh, The Vibe Collective 2023-24

How to apply

Interested? Apply by Monday 25 November at 12pm by completing this simple form.

If you would prefer to have this information in a non-written format please email Frankie McCormick.

There is also an opportunity to apply in a non-written format. You could create a video or voice note application (5-8 mins), or submit your application in any form that you choose. There is more information about this on the application form.

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Young girl stood on steps looking down at Turner Sims stage with rainbow lights highlighting the brickwork and audience sat either side

Intern Insights: Summer Family Day Recap

Our intern Megan gives us a recap of her experience during Summer Family Day 2024.

July 31, 2024

Summer Family Day 2024 was an absolute hit with both kids and parents alike! In anticipation of upcoming family events like Winter Family Day (Sunday 24 November), our Concert Promotions Intern, Megan Harrison takes a look back to July to show you what amazing family events are held here at Turner Sims…

On Sunday 30 June I got the amazing opportunity to help out on Summer Family Day and see the event first hand! Turner Sims and the nearby outside areas of Highfield campus were full of liveliness, music, and delicious food stalls. The day was filled with fun activities, music and performances that, together, created a day of musical family fun!

Throughout the day, the Turner Sims foyer was busy with face painting and crafts. Paper artist Nathan Ward ran an all-day drop-in workshop where children could create their own unique bugs. The face painting and crafts were extremely popular, and I saw lots of happy children with uniquely painted faces and others carrying around the paper bugs they had made.

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The first event of the day was the David Gibb Big Band, which filled the morning with lots of noise in the main concert hall. I heard it was a really imaginative show! Soon after, there was a Big Bug Hunt in the gardens, where kids and families looked for all sorts of different insects on Highfield campus. The children were particularly keen on the stickers they got as a reward for finding all the bugs!

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At the Community Stage, many local performers came to put on amazing shows. There was a great variety of people – we had a dance group and a local youth orchestra give fantastic performances. It was great to see Turner Sims and the community supporting these local artists.

Jham! was extremely popular, with the fusion of classical Indian dancing and more modern styles of music creating an exhilarating outdoor show. The audience was thrilled by the dancing and lots of people stood up and got involved in the dancing themselves!

In the afternoon, another show in the concert hall called JUMP was on. Following the creepy-crawly theme of this Family Day, JUMP, composed by Karen Wimhurst, combined field recordings of insects and amphibians with clarinet music.

The Puppetry and Conducting Workshop was held under the marquee. The workshop began with the puppet Pythagoras conducting for an accordion player, showing how his movements influenced her playing. After this, newspaper and tape were held out and the kids and grown-ups created their own puppets to conduct with! As someone who’s taken conducting classes, I think this was a really clever and engaging way of introducing conducting to children.

The final event of the day was Creative Beats Workshop, which ended summer Family Day on a high note. Led by Yetta and Emma, members of YES! Creative Beats from the Isle of Wight, kids and grownups played boom-whackers and hand percussion in time with recorded tunes. The energy from Yetta and Emma was amazing and kept everyone engaged, so much so that even the Arts at University of Southampton Student Ambassadors were joining in!

There was lovely positive audience feedback and families had an amazing time. The atmosphere the entire day was so vibrant and cheerful that I couldn’t help but enjoy myself!

Check out some of these amazing photos taken on the day by Nosa Malcolm…

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Four young men wearing casual clothes, sat in the front row of Turner Sims' hall

The Future Producers: a Turner Sims and UoS Music Partnership Project

Learn more about the 2024 Future Producers team, the FRAZ Collective!

June 12, 2024

Future Producers is a partnership project between Turner Sims and the University of Southampton Department of Music, giving a unique opportunity to a group of music students to programme concerts at Turner Sims and community venues. These students get the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals to learn new skills and gain experience planning, producing and delivering live music events.

Who are we?

Our 2024 team of Future Producers are the FRAZ Collective – Frankie, Ralph, Angelo and Zephyr. Brought together by a shared passion for music and experimentation, we are a team of four first year music students looking to bring new ideas and styles of music to Turner Sims. With a shared love for electronic and jazz music, we are hoping to bring a vibrant, youthful audience to Turner Sims with two upcoming concerts.

What are our aims?

We want Turner Sims to be at the forefront of an engaging music scene in Southampton and entice a new demographic of young people to discover the progressive and experimental musicians that Turner Sims showcases. One of our most important aims is to serve the community in Southampton – which is why one of our two concerts is in collaboration with Friends of St James’ Park’s Summer Festival on the 15 June. Turner Sims will have a one hour takeover at this event with the seven piece jazz and funk band Side Eye and alternative rock band Zero Saints bringing amazing live music to the community.

How will we achieve this?

In both of our concerts, we will be booking what we believe to be on trend and current. By putting on interesting and engaging musical performances that stand out from the crowd, we hope to create a buzz around what we are showcasing. We’ve got some amazing music in store that we’re thrilled to share, so stay tuned and watch this space!

Frankie, Ralph, Angelo, Zephyr (FRAZ Collective)

A group of 12 young people stood on stage at Turner Sims

Introducing The Vibe Collective: A New Wave of Music Events at Turner Sims

Hey there music enthusiasts and curious souls!

April 23, 2024

We’re excited to share the buzz about our latest adventure – The Vibe Collective. Nestled in the vibrant heart of Southampton, we, a dynamic team of fourteen young creatives, are on a mission to shake things up at Turner Sims and bring you a fresh wave of live music experiences like never before.

Setting the Stage: The Vision and Mission

Before we dive into the beats and melodies, let’s sync up with the grand vision of Turner Sims – connecting communities locally and globally through the sheer joy of live music. Our mission? To share that joy by delivering extraordinary experiences within and beyond the walls of our favourite music venue.

The Vibe Collective’s Mission – Let the Music Speak!

Our mission, should you choose to accept it (and trust us, you want to), involves planning, programming, and delivering mind-blowing live music events at Turner Sims, aptly named ‘The Vibe.’ Picture this: unforgettable events this spring and summer that are set to sizzle. But wait, there’s more! We’re not just bringing you the same old tunes; we’re scouting talent from across the country and celebrating the homegrown gems right here in Southampton. Turner Sims is about to become the go-to venue for an eclectic mix of musical styles that will tickle every auditory fancy.

Where the Magic Happens: The Turner Sims Foyer Transformation

Ever wished the Turner Sims foyer felt a bit more like your kind of space? Well, buckle up! We’re playfully experimenting with transforming the foyer into a haven for young souls. Imagine a space that invites you in, teases your creativity, and sets the stage for unforgettable moments.

A Bold Identity and Fresh Vibes: On and Off the Stage

The Vibe Collective isn’t just about the music; it’s about crafting a bold identity. We’re the consultants on a mission – developing an identity that screams ‘The Vibe’ and makes waves on websites, marketing materials, and social media. Get ready to spot The Vibe from a mile away!

Calling All Young People: A New Audience Unveiled

Are you between 18 and 25 and seeking a new musical haven? Look no further! The Vibe Collective is here to devise innovative ways to attract you, build trust, and make Turner Sims your go-to spot. Your feedback will be our compass as we navigate this exciting journey together.

In Closing: A Symphony of Collaboration, Learning, and Ambition

As we embark on this thrilling venture, collaboration is our anthem. The Vibe Collective is not just a team; it’s a family, working hand-in-hand with the incredible Turner Sims staff. Recognising diverse skills, embracing learning, and daring to experiment are our guiding principles. Turner Sims has set the bar high for live music experiences, and The Vibe Collective is rising to the challenge. We’re fuelled by ambition – the ambition to deliver nothing short of exceptional, to present amazing artists, and to gift you, our audience, with extraordinary experiences. Get ready to catch The Vibe, Southampton! We’re turning up the volume, breaking the mold, and ushering in a new era of live music magic.

 

Stay tuned for the rhythm of The Vibe Collective!

Woman stood against a brick wall with a man sat in front of her with a guitar

Southampton musicians invited to Turn It Up

Southampton Folk act Pegasuses has been named Turner Sims’ first Turn It Up local associate.

April 12, 2024

Turn It Up is a new development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes. It was launched by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, earlier this year in association with SoCo Music Project.

Supported by funding from Arts Council England, the programme aims to help local musicians turn up the volume on their creative projects.

Pegasuses blew the selection panel away with an acoustic performance to secure their place as this year’s Turn It Up artists.

The Indie-Folk duo will benefit from industry mentoring, funding, and a headline slot at Turner Sims’ Summer Festival in June.

Being awarded the Turn It Up grant means so much – it’s a huge validation for us. It confirms there is a place for our music, and that others are not only interested in what we have to say, but that they want to support us in our development as artists. Having expert advice and guidance will help us better understand an industry that can so often feel inaccessible.
Laura, Vocalist

Through Turn It Up, Pegasuses are scaling up their usual duo to a full band featuring fellow Sotonians, including Russell Marsden (Band of Skulls), who they have spent the past two years recording their debut album with in his Southampton studio. The band will perform the album in full for the first time at Turner Sims’ Summer Festival on Friday 28 June 2024 before embarking on a small tour, which will take them beyond their usual Southampton stomping ground.

This opportunity presents a real chance for us to develop as musicians. It means we can dedicate more time and resources to our practice and build on what we’ve spent the past few years refining.
Laura, Vocalist

Pegasuses describe their music as folk-based with various influences from folk, Americana and alternative genres.

Pegasuses’ passion and readiness to take the next step in their music career stood out. They had a clear idea of where they wanted to get to and it was evident how our support and contacts could help them reach a national platform. When they performed one of their original songs for us, we knew we’d found our first Turn It Up artists.
Kevin Appleby, Turner Sims
A high view of a group of people performing on a stage

The Ripple Effect Lookback

Thursday 30 March saw the fantastic finish to our project with Orchestras Live and The Third Orchestra, The Ripple Effect.

May 3, 2023

Our Southampton musicians, oboist Anna Durance, poet Issa Loyaan Farrah-Kelly and electronic musician Matt Brombley, premiered a new work, Coastal, co-created and performed with The Third Orchestra, as part of the programme. They played to a packed house of very excited and appreciative children from local schools in the afternoon, followed by an inspired audience for the triumphant evening concert.

It was wonderful to see so many people of all ages enjoying the creative results of The Ripple Effect. Our mission at Turner Sims is to share live music that connects, moves and inspires people through extraordinary experiences – and today’s concerts are a perfect example of how we achieve that.
Kevin Appleby Turner Sims Concert Hall Manager

Our chosen artists joined co-composition and creation days in London and Southampton under the guidance of highly experienced composer and music leader, Peter Wiegold, for cross-genre creative conversations with The Third Orchestra.

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This was a seminal project for us, creating and playing in a wonderful venue, alongside three especially talented Southampton artists, Issa, Anna and Matt. Together with them we created a new piece ‘Coastal’, and then, delighted by this, also invited them to integrate into the orchestra for the whole show.
Peter Wiegold The Third Orchestra
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Honestly one of the most uplifting performance days I’ve ever experienced. I don’t think it could have been better. I loved how we could hear our ideas for Coastal rippling through the orchestra and coming out/being interpreted in different ways.
Anna Durance
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… an uplifting and unforgettable concert. Last night was a tremendous and re-affirming musical collaboration, the essence of what I believe we each aspire to as musical souls.
Iain Ballamy saxophonist
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The whole experience, start to finish, has been just wonderful!
Matt Brombley
All images © Nosa Malcolm
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The Ripple Effect: The Third Orchestra is presented by Turner Sims in association with Orchestras Live

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