Turn It Up is a development opportunity for musicians from Southampton and SO postcodes. Launched in 2024 by University of Southampton music venue, Turner Sims, the inaugural winners of the scheme were folk duo Pegasuses.

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

Lucy will benefit from industry mentoring, funding, and an appearance on the opening night of Turner Sims’ Summer Festival in June. Lucy will be joined by a five-piece band to perform songs from her forthcoming album, ‘In the Low Light’. Spanning folk, Americana, a little bit of country, and infused with the feel of 70s singer-songwriters, Lucy’s original songs explore concepts of grief and loss. Her exquisite vocals are supported by guitars, double bass and drums, plus pedal steel, piano and Hammond, in a warm and engaging soundworld. Lucy and her band’s performance takes place on Friday 27 June 2025 in a double bill with Shovel Dance Collective.

Lucy said:

‘I knew early last year that I wanted to record an album. Something that represents me, my experiences and where I am at musically now. And now, the music is finished and recorded Turn It Up provides the perfect opportunity to push the project over the finish line in the way I envisage. To be able to do a proper live launch with the band as part of the Turner Sims Summer Festival is incredible.’

Kevin Appleby, Turner Sims, said:

‘Through Turn It Up we are keen to support the ambitious creative plans of local artists. Lucy’s clear vision for her project and performance really stood out for the selection panel. With the platform of the Summer Festival it’s exciting to enable her to bring her distinctive sound and music to her current fanbase and new audiences too.’

Job Opportunity
• Head of Marketing and Sales (Ref. 3033525TW)
• Location: Turner Sims Southampton, SO17 1BJ
• Salary: £45,413 to £48,149
• Closing Date: Tuesday 22 April 2025
• Apply online here

Turner Sims is the University of Southampton’s acclaimed music venue with big ambitions to build an inclusive world through the joy of live music. Having recently launched our rebrand, new website, and celebrated our 50th anniversary last autumn, the postholder will play a major role developing and delivering the next phase of our ambitious marketing and audience development plans, aligned to the University’s strategy: Inspiring the Remarkable.

In our 50-year history, we’re proud to have supported early careers of many great artists. We champion diverse talent and welcome adventurous audiences to discover new music, alongside old favourites. With national partners, we’re creating opportunities for artists and audiences to share the joy of live music in the Hampshire and Solent region.

Through our expanded engagement programme, we’re actively welcoming new audiences who’ve never engaged with us before. And importantly, students and young people are playing a vibrant role in shaping the next 50 years of Turner Sims.

We are proud to be part of the University of Southampton, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, and contributing to the city and region’s cultural reputation. Our music programme is locally relevant and internationally acclaimed. We want that reputation to continue to flourish.

We believe equality, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to making the University of Southampton a welcoming, vibrant and successful organisation. Having a diverse workforce, inclusive of people of all ages and beliefs, from different racial, educational and social backgrounds opens up a wealth of possibilities, makes us more creative and accelerates our impact on society. We welcome applicants that value the diversity of our community and are willing to play their part in supporting the mission of inclusivity.

How to apply
Job Description
To apply online visit the University of Southampton’s Job site here 
Closing date: Tuesday 22 April 2025

Find out more
If you want to find out more about the role, there is an informal opportunity to meet online with Louise Coysh, Director and Sarah Robertson, Co-Chair, Strategic Board, Turner Sims on Monday 31st March: 2-3pm, Wednesday 2nd April: 4-5pm and Friday 4th April: 2-3pm. Please email arts@soton.ac.uk to request a 10-minute time slot.

Kevin joined Turner Sims in 2000. Since then, Kevin has set the venue’s artistic direction and programmed its celebrated concert series, spanning classical, jazz, folk and global music.

Kevin has been an influential figure, raising the bar on the region’s music scene over the past 25 years. His many Turner Sims career highlights include Southampton’s Musical Alphabet in 2012, which saw 50 events and 500 performers entertain 2500 people in 23 venues across the city as part of London 20212’s Cultural Olympiad. The international Friday Afternoons project in 2013 celebrated the centenary of Benjamin Britten. 2760 children were involved in the climax of the Britten Stream project broadcast live from Turner Sims. Peter Edwards’ Turner Sims commission ‘A Journey with the Giants of Jazz’, premiered at the concert hall in 2017. It was part of the nationwide New Music Biennial initiative, with further performances as part of Hull UK City of Culture and at London’s Southbank Centre’. In 2021, the world premiere of Tunde Jegede’s ‘Voyages of the Heart‘ was broadcast online due to Covid-19 restrictions. The work was commissioned for the Mayflower 400 commemorations in Southampton. More recently, Turner Sims hosted the BBC Singers in their 100th Anniversary year at Turner Sims in collaboration with the University’s Department of Music.

Kevin’s final Turner Sims concert series will be the 51st Autumn Season (Sep 2025 – Jan 2026) to be announced in May 2025.

Kevin Appleby said, “Turner Sims has been part of my life for so long that the thought of my time here coming to a close feels somewhat strange. However as the concert hall reaches the end of its 50th anniversary year, and I at the same time complete 25 years here, it is the right moment for me to step down and focus on other things.

When I was appointed I don’t think I ever anticipated spending such a significant amount of my working life in one organisation. However, whenever there has been a doubt in my mind about continuing, another unmissable opportunity, collaboration, or new venture has magically appeared.

As Turner Sims begins its next phase, I will be forever grateful to have been part of an organisation that means so much to so many people, to have worked with inspiring colleagues who have made the place what it is, and to have enjoyed and learnt from so many rewarding experiences.”

Sarah Robertson, Co-Chair of Turner Sims Strategic Board said, “Kevin is an exemplary and passionate advocate for music and throughout his hugely successful time at Turner Sims he has worked tirelessly to bring the best music and musicians to the audiences of Southampton. He is held in such high regard across the city, University and in the concert hall sector, championing the impact of music venues at the highest levels. In particular his passion and support for jazz music and musicians has seen Turner Sims develop a vibrant programme of up-and-coming and established artists that is the envy of others. The Strategic Board are so grateful for his hard work and dedication and warmly wish him well for the future.”

The duo craft a mesmerising soundscape that beautifully marries the rich heritage of Norwegian folk music with the contemporary. Their latest album, ‘Glimmer’, showcases the beauty of the Hardanger fiddle, which Nils plays with haunting grace. The instrument’s unique resonating strings create a shimmering tapestry woven with threads of emotion. Complementing this, Sigbjørn breathes new life into the harmonium. Drawing from his classical background, he integrates innovative elements into his arrangements while honouring traditional roots. This musical style is starkly different from the traditional English folk music FAYE typically play and through the concert and workshop created new paths for them to follow on their musical journey.

Within the workshop, FAYE were taught two Norwegian folk tunes. The first was a hymn called ‘O du min Immanuel’ (‘O You My Emmanuel’) which featured gentle, flowing phrases that allowed room for interpretation. To further the youth group’s understanding of their style of playing, Nils and Sigbjørn discussed the decisions behind their arrangement of the hymn and explained their method of improvisation around the melody. The second tune they taught was a dance tune called ‘Springen’ and Nils explained the different bowing techniques he had learned from various teachers. The duo then took the stage to perform for the FAYE members, followed by a Q&A. The ensemble expressed interest in the historic instruments, the hardanger and harmonium, and were given the opportunity to play them. This inspired a few members to start a ‘Harmonium Wish List’ for Christmas – because who wouldn’t want this magical instrument to get them through the holidays?

As a fellow musician, I found their innovative approach to arrangement truly inspiring, leading me to learn my first Norwegian tunes, which has sparked a desire to explore more Scandinavian folk music. Fern, another member of FAYE, said: ‘we learnt two very new and contrasting tunes. Nils recommended, when you’re learning a new tune, to look at someone else’s bow which was really useful.’ Marnie, also from FAYE, added, ‘the tunes were very fun to learn, and I found the harmonium and hardanger very interesting’.

We would like to give a huge thank you to Kevin Appleby and Turner Sims for funding and hosting the workshop. This opportunity ignited a passion for Scandinavian folk traditions that will resonate in FAYE’s future performances, highlighting the importance of collaboration and the shared joy of music, and ensuring that the spirit of folk traditions continues to thrive in contemporary settings.

Find out more about FAYE

Audiences have been travelling miles to experience the joy of music at Turner Sims since 1974. Rising stars, including a young Simon Rattle, have been a marker of the programme here throughout history. But so too have the many musical icons and legendary artists who return time and again, inspired by our special hall and the welcome they receive. We feel privileged to have shared a world of music with so many brilliant people.

Designing a fitting concert to celebrate everything people love about Turner Sims was a tall order. Concert Hall Manager Kevin Appleby rose to the challenge with a diverse programme spanning every genre from classical and jazz to folk and reggae!