Streetband

‘The Big Lunch’ 2016

The Big Lunch 2016

Wadebridge Streetband was started in 2014 as a Wadebridge Creative Hub project, beginning with a workshop in The Goods Shed organised by Voirrey Faragher and Meg Lamond.

Most of the present group were at that session, but Streetband has moved towards a more traditional ‘folk’ presentation, with harp, flutes, guitars and drum. The style of music is whatever members want to play, from Cornish folk tunes and dances through to current popular music and original songs.

Wadebridge Streetband Practice

Wadebridge Streetband Practice

‘Grow-your-own’ talent has come forward, with Paul Renshall (above, second from left) creating new songs for the group. You can hear Streetband playing his ‘Blown on the Wind’ on Soundcloud and the track was picked for BBC Radio Cornwall’s ‘Introducing In Cornwall’ broadcast on 28th January this year.

This wouldn’t have happened without the Middle Treworder community fund and Wadebridge Creative Hub. A small, informal group like Wadebridge Streetband, without a bank account, would normally find it hard to handle grant money; but WCH has enabled them to make use of £400 from community funds to buy percussion instruments, and then to learn about making a recording, expertly guided by Dan Kobale of Alive Music.

Recording with Dan Kobale

Recording with Dan Kobale

It’s all for enjoyment; Streetband’s performances are mostly at events in and around Wadebridge, to add to the atmosphere of events like The Big Lunch, May Play, Bodmin Heritage Day, and the Cornwall Folk Festival’s ‘Shanty Street’.

‘Live music always adds a sense of fun to any occasion and we are always willing to give our time and energy for free,’ a member of the group said. ‘When playing outdoors it is sometimes difficult for people to hear us without amplification. We’d like to purchase a portable amplifier which we could all connect to so that our music can be enjoyed by everyone’.

Thanks to a further grant from the St Breock Wind Farm Community Fund for 2017 the wish is coming true, and this year’s events will be better heard through a good quality amplifier.

May Play 2016

May Play 2016

‘There’s still room for new people to be involved,’ another member said. ‘Another singer, a percussionist, or perhaps someone interested in music technology who’d help us with that side of things would be particularly welcome.’

If you would like Streetband to provide music as part of a local event, or if you would be interested in joining them yourself, email wadebridge.streetband@gmail.com