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

Turner Sims Team: Spring Picks!

With the Spring Season underway, the team at Turner Sims are just as excited as the audience to welcome our amazing artists! Check in with their top picks – plus they share favourite shows they have seen here over the years…

March 5, 2024

Jessica Santer Head of Engagement and Participation

My pick of the season is The Breath. I’ve been loving listening to the haunting sound of this beautiful duet at home and can’t wait to see them live!
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The Breath - Little One (Live at the Minack, Cornwall)

David Hurlock Box Office Assistant

My first pick is Olivia Chaney. One of our Front of House Managers, Maggie created some season playlist CDs to play in the foyer. I was listening to Circus of Desire and fell in love with her vocals.

My other pick is corto.alto. I downloaded the album after listening to one track on a Turner Sims playlist and have been listening to it constantly. It is such a world away from what I’d associate with Turner Sims that I’m really excited to see where this will take our musical offering.
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corto.alto Trio - Slope (Live from Strange Field)

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My favourite ever event was Benjamin Zephaniah – it was a dream of mine to see him live, as I grew up watching him on television. I was always interested in English language and his poetry showed me how effective it can be.

Elizabeth Howard Administrator

My staff pick is The Breath – just love the vocals and folky vibe.
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The Breath - Land Of My Other | Woodburner Live

Sara Lock Head of Arts Marketing and Communication, University of Southampton

My pick for Spring 2024 is Maya Youssef. Her album Finding Home is full of heart and beautiful melodies. From the lively Jasmin Bayati to the mellow and heartfelt sound of My Homeland, it’s an eclectic and moving album. I love the idea of finding home in music and can’t wait to hear her perform live in the beautiful acoustic of Turner Sims. Jasdeep Singh Degun’s performance at Turner Sims was a standout for me. I bought his album on the night and every time I listen to it, I play the final track, Redemption (reprise), at least twice. It has fast become one of my favourite pieces of music. It makes me want to turn the volume up, close my eyes and really listen.
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My Homeland from the 'Finding Home' Album

Val Drayton Head of Operations

My staff pick is corto.alto, the current project of Liam Shortall There’s such a buzz around the Glasgow nu-jazz scene with lots of cross-pollination between individual sub-scenes creating exciting new sounds. Scottish music is surprisingly very diverse, with a Scottish folk influence on improvised music but also loads of other types of ‘jazz’ emerging, from hip-hop, soul, electronic, latin, funk, punk, heavy jazz etc. You can tell that everyone is having a lot of fun! As Liam says ‘Everyone that knows about the Glasgow music scene, knows.’ I really enjoyed Saltlines last year, a wonderful blending of folk and spoken word from Gigspanner Big Band performing with Raynor Winn. Stunning multi-instrumentalists, beautiful words and music weaving together to create a very special night.
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corto.alto Trio - Bye (Live from Strange Field)

Vic Box Office Assistant

My pick is Ute Lemper because I simply adore her voice – have already got my ticket!
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Ute Lemper - TIME TRAVELER (Official Music Video)

My best ever experience at Turner Sims was hearing my all-time favourite pianist, Alfred Brendel, play Beethoven. He had a way of making the notes melt seamlessly into each other.
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Ludwig van Beethoven : Klaviersonate Nr.31 As-dur, Op.110 - Alfred Brendel

Jo Roberts Marketing and Communications Officer

My pick this season is The Breath. I absolutely love Ríoghnach Connolly’s voice, it is so expressive. Closely seconded by Olivia Chaney – another incredible voice! The remix of Circus of Desire has been on my playlists since the day it came out.
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The Breath - Let The Cards Fall (Official Video)

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It’s hard to pick a favourite TS experience, but it was probably Painted Planets with the SÓN Orchestra and artist James Mayhew. It was the final concert in 2020 before the country went into lockdown. I took my children and will never forget how mesmerised they were – my (then little) daughter especially. She was so lit up and inspired – and spent many hours in lockdown with her paints as a result!

We want to know your favourite Turner Sims memories! What was your best-ever musical experience with us? Send us an email and let us know: info@turnersims.co.uk

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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