In an industry of ever-moving goalposts amid an increasing need to create sensational exclusivity and eccentricity for music fans, Get It Loud In Libraries hits the spot.
Get It Loud In Libraries is a unique award-winning project (Love Libraries Award 2007 winner) that curates fantastic shows in public library buildings. GILIL showcases a whole array of groundbreaking acts and can count Florence & The Machine, Holly Miranda, The Thrills, Alessi’s Ark, Ellie Goulding, Diana Vickers, Bat For Lashes, Juliette Lewis and Daisy Dares You as having graced its stages before (and while) hitting the big-time.
Get It Loud In Libraries is the brainchild of Stewart Parsons, of Lancashire Libraries. But now, this previously-exclusive-to-Lancashire project is being followed by libraries all over the country due to its success. After dark - after the library shuts its doors at night - music fans gather outside in anticipation. Anticipation of seeing one of the UK’s hottest acts playing a live intimate and personal set RIGHT before their very eyes. The MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives Council) commissioned the UK rollout of the venture in January 2010, which meant GILIL could go on the road with Daisy Dares You. Launched in May 2005, the innovative Get It Loud In Libraries project stages numerous oneoff, kick-yourself-if-you-miss-it gigs per year, pulling in people who haven't been inside library walls for years, or those who never have. Since conception, it has been featured on BBC's The One Show and Newsround, as well as many other publications, blogs and industry know-alls. In the future, GILIL will continue showcasing amazing talent in our intimate locations, proving that libraries aren’t just for geeks. Currently shows are primarily in Lancaster and Morecambe libraries, with the occasional journey to Westminster Reference Library, London. Other libraries involved in the UK networks include Rugby, Edinburgh, Wooton Fields, Bourne End, Sheffield, Oldham, Mablethorpe, Westminster Reference Library, Newport, Isle Of Wight, with many others requesting to take part.
There is no age limit at events so it’s great for engaging younger fans. Using great fresh modern music in an innovative and natural location, GILIL offers opportunities to ages 5 to 65 to check out carefully-selected bands up-close and intimate in a feel-good venue packed with literary works on their journey to superstardom. Music is of course the key thing here, but the project aims to get Britain’s youth back into its libraries while developing youth talent. It has attracted more than 8,500 visitors, 5,000 of them first-time library users, who come back for novels, scored music, maps, the internet, or just somewhere quiet to read and do their homework. Of course, this doesn’t mean that once you’ve graduated that you’re not welcome to our shows! Just don’t blame us if little Samuel begs for a guitar on the way home. With no age restrictions, no spilt beer, no smoke in your eyes, and certainly no rip-off ticket prices, come and experience some lovely down-time with friends in an intimate space. Listen to our trendy DJ sets from award-winning indie-disco Offbeat, or Same Teens playing the freshest tracks.
What more do you need to have a boogie down by the bookshelves?
Here’s a run-down of exactly who has played a Get It Loud In Libraries event so far: Florence and the Machine Adele Mr Hudson Rosie and the Goldbug Noah and the Whale Slow Club Everything Everything Field Music Plan B Daisy Dares You The Heartbreaks Juliette Lewis Chew Lips Fenech Soler Dum Dum Girls Girls Diana Vickers Ellie Goulding Bleech Kristin Hersh Esben and the Witch Lovely Eggs The Long Blondes Tiny Masters Of Today Harry and The Potters Marina and the Diamonds Frankmusik Camera Obscura Alessi's Ark British Sea Power Rose Elinor Dougall The Yeah Yous The Death Set Dead Kids The Thrills Hadouken! The Blackout Holly Miranda Morning Parade Esser
The Kabeedies Jeffery Lewis Ebony Bones Anti Flag Black Kids Bat For Lashes Kate Walsh You Say Party! We Say Die! Los Campesinos! Darwin Deez Envy Imelda May Sky Larkin The Wombats Lauren Pritchard Guillemots Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip Kids On Bridges Miike Snow Professor Green Shake Alessi Diana Vickers Max Tuohy Polly Scattergood New Young Pony Club Stiff Dylans Jessie Natascha Sohl Three Ages of Elvis Royworld Yoav The Whip
What people are saying about Get It Loud In Libraries… “Get It Loud In Libraries was specifically designed to reconnect young people to libraries through the best new music around...what you get is like a pop-up street corner venue with the very best acts playing to all ages audiences. It allows us to present the future today though amazing pop culture." Stewart Parsons, Founder "Silence is no longer golden among the bookshelves." The Observer “Libraries have always been the educational hubs of society, so where better to make a discovery of new bands and acts on the British music scene?” neverenoughnotes.co.uk "I think it's absolutely incredible. It's wonderful," Vickers say of the project. "I've been playing in front of big crowds and I'm excited about intimate settings where you can be close to your fans." Diana Vickers
NOTES FOR EDITORS: Contact: Stewart Parsons stewart@getitloudinlibraries.com LCLIS, East Cliff, PO Box 162, Preston, PR1 3EA Online media: http://www.myspace.com/getitloudinlibraries http://www.twitter.com/loudinlibraries http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2278136146
http://www.neverenoughnotes.co.uk