Exeter Uncovered calls for Devon bands to take part in new Stay Home Sessions
The Stay Home Sessions launches Thursday 14 May with live performances from, SVVIM, Okay Bye, Ollie Dixon and Soote Sprite via the instagram account of the Grassroots publication and digital platform Exeter Uncovered.
The event promises several hours of live music from some of Exeter's brightest talents. Check out the incredible event poster below (artwork provided by Grace Elizabeth of Okay Bye) and make sure you tune in next Thursday!
Plus, Exeter Uncovered are also now calling for Exeter or Devon-based bands, including AMS student bands and student music projects, to participate for an Instagram live session, for a date TBC.
More details will be released soon. In the meantime, if you're a Devon-based AMS student and you're interested in being involved, please email our freelance marketing officer Izzy: [email protected], stating your interest.
Feast your ears on our Lockdown Playlist!
Lockdown Listening from our Exeter team.
AMS Exeter's Jemma Sloman has curated an incredible playlist for us – perfect soul food for all your lockdown listening needs. It includes Students and Staff members past and present of AMS Exeter, with all the sounds from our South West centre and hub, buzzing under the umbrella of one perfect little playlist.
So what's in there? It's truly packed full of goodness, featuring tracks like Pattern Pusher's Crazy Enough, and Shakey, Lizzie Kirwan's The Unknown, Shake the Geek's Jenga, and Bad Screens from First Person. Perfect to get tucked into on one of these quiet - or not so quiet - lockdown days.
Plus the playlist also features two tracks from the new band and product of lockdown, Wired Design – made up of two of our Exeter staff members; Jon the Level 3 course leader and Jordan our Exeter technician.
Get locked.
NME features alumni Ollie Southgate from Heavy Lungs in Fender Play online tutorial
More ex-AMS students are appearing in the media this week, with Exeter Alumni Ollie Southgate appearing in a Fender Play online tutorial. The tutorial was shared by industry leading music magazine NME earlier in the week (18 February 2020), as part of its promotion regarding Fender Play – “the app that can teach anyone to play guitar – even music critics.”
Here’s a short extract from the article…
“To celebrate Fender Play, NME invited Ollie from Heavy Lungs to The NME Office to see if he could put Deputy Editor and lapsed wannabe guitar hero Dan Stubbs through his paces.”
“Ollie’s intuitive guitar style is informed by a teenage love of innovative Blur guitarist Graham Coxon, and was developed in secret on his older brother’s guitar (Ollie was supposed to be the bassist). He channels his energy into the Bristol band’s blistering punk songs and fearless live performances.”
Ollie was a student at AMS Exeter about a decade ago. He studied the L3 Extended Diploma back in the day. His band Heavy Lungs, dubbed by Loud and Quiet as “yet another great Bristol punk band”, are another talented up-and-coming group to emerge from the South West.
Check out the full article on the NME website and watch the video in the player below.
Want to expand your music skills through online learning? Visit our online platform AMS Online…
Apply to play at one of the South West's best Festivals in 2020!
Apply to play Beautiful Days Festival 2020
Our centre in Exeter has teamed up with Devon’s Beautiful Days Festival to offer up and coming bands and acts the chance of a performance slot. Open to unsigned bands and artists everywhere, this is your chance to play a notable and established festival, hop on the festival circuit, and hopefully get some amazing experience in the process.
So, what’s on offer?
3 performance slots are available to new and/or unsigned artists to play in the Big Top, The Little Big Top and The Bimble Inn at this years festival which will run from 21-23 August 2020.
APPLY NOW on the Beautiful Days website.
Beautiful Days festival has been running at Escot Park near Exeter in Devon, since 2003 when it was set up by the band The Levellers, and has since been host to some incredible acts such as KT Tunstall, Frank Turner, Echo & The Bunnymen, Happy Mondays, The Pogues, Primal Scream, Seth Lakeman, Manic Street Preachers and Seasick Steve. Great company, eh?
In 2011 Beautiful Days was pronounced “Best Family Festival” by the UK Festival Awards, later winning the “Grass Roots Festival Award” in 2015, as well as the “Best Medium Festival award from FestivalKidz the same year. Described as an “old school, non-corporate” event, it’s no wonder every festival has sold out in advance.
Applications will open on 31 January 2020 and run through to 2nd March. Any applications sent before this date will not be considered.
MAR 2nd 2020 APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
You can read more about Beautiful Days on their website, and check our their Instagram page for updates.
#BD2020
Exeter student's end of term gig at Bierkeller Exeter
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Our RSL Level 3 Students in Exeter have their first end of term gig on Wednesday 4th December at Bierkeller Exeter on The Quay. Ticket are just £3 on the door, and the event runs from 7pm until LATE.
All Welcome! See you there for a big ol' musical bash to get you right in the Christmas spirit.
Check out the Facebook event for more details, otherwise, see you there!
For more upcoming events check out our events page.
Autumn Term Open Evenings, Exeter
We’re opening our Exeter doors for a series of open events in the coming few months, where you can check out our facilities, get all your course based questions answered, and find out what life is like studying music with the Academy in Exeter.
Throughout the term, we’re giving you several chances to pop in and find out more about the Further Education and Higher Education courses we are offering for a 2020 start. If you’re interested in our Further Education courses head down to an open day at our Exeter base on 30th October, 13th November or 11th December.
Or if you’re considering a Higher Education course, a Foundation or BA (top up) in Music and Sound, or considering our M.Mus in Popular Music Performance, then head to our Studio 54, an arm of our Exeter centre, in the heart of the city on either 7th or 28th November. There will be a welcome, meet and greet, performance in the live room, tour of facilities, and an informative presentation.
All Exeter Open events 2019.
FE Open Evening 1 – 30th October
FE Open Evening 2 – 13th November
FE Open Evening 3 – 11th December
HE Open Evening 1 – 7th November
HE Open Evening 2 – 28th November
Make sure you confirm your planned attendance to this event in advance as space is limited.
Email [email protected] or 01392 427874 to book a place.
See you there!
Photos and more from the 2019 AMS Graduation at Guildhall Exeter
Last week we said goodbye to the AMS Class of 2019 with a Graduation marking the end of their musical education. Whatever their next steps, be it further education, masters, or stepping into the world of work, in a competitive industry, we wish them all the best with their futures and whatever they decide to pursue next.
The ceremony took place at the Exeter Guildhall, as we welcomed AMS students from across the country, as well as AMS Online, our digital learning platform, to celebrate their achievements and even award to some special congratulatory awards to some outstanding students.
Scroll down to check out some of the photos from the day and a full list of 019 graduates. Visit our Facebook gallery for more photos - and tag yourself!
Music Degree Graduates 2019
Oliver (Ben) Glass, Exeter - BA Hons First Class Bethany Goudie, Online - BA Hons First Class Matt Stevenson, Exeter - BA Hons First Class
Hayley Brown, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1 Natasha Cope, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1 Rebakah Cunningham, Southampton - BA Hons 2:1
Edward Drover, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 Ross McTeague, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 Paul Moger-Taylor, Exeter, BA Hons 2:1
Jordan Morris, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1 James Trickey, Swindon - BA Hons 2:1 Niamh Tucket, Exeter - BA Hons 2:1
Oliver Goodchild-Horne, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2 Jasmine Kendrick, Swindon - BA Hons 2:2 Joshua Thomas, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2
Brendan Tucker, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2 Jared Steadman, Exeter - BA Hons 2:2
Foundation Degree Arts
Josh Boulton, Exeter - Merit
Kara Gelder, Exeter - Merit
Maddie Wilson, Exeter - Merit
Florence Peckett, Exeter - Merit
"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the
changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."
- Maya Angelou
Throughout the ceremony there were several speeches from Academy staff, plus a formal Address from Dr Miceal Barden, Dean of the Faculty of Arts from the University of Wolverhampton, who also presented the Degree Diplomas. The Academy Principle Steve Ryan made some congratulatory remarks, and the AMS Graduation Awards were given out to those winning students, Beth Goudie for Songwriting and Matt Stevenson for Studio Production. Laura Wright, the Centre Manager for AMS Exeter gave a warm closing speech.
The Academy celebrates 25 years in music education with a showcase of music and talks at Exeter Phoenix
What a way to celebrate 25 years in music education! We celebrated our 25th year in music education this summer with a full 12 hour programme of events, showcasing the strengths of the Academy of Music & Sound in Exeter. This was the very best of AMS past a present presented in the context of the contemporary music scene. 2019 - year that commemorates 25 years of the organisation as a whole, and 15 years in Exeter.
The day started with a panel discussion on many areas of the current music industry. The panel consisted of Kate Graham from Soundlaunch, an Arts Council funded music initiative in Exeter, Exeter Street Arts and OxJam rep Becky Grinham who also spoke about Tour Management and Journalism. Also present was Glasdenbury Festival founder Emma Twamley, up-and-coming singer songwriter Sadie Horler, producer, composer, studio owner John Waddell, and studio technician, producer and artist Ben Green, who chaired the discussion,
The discussion was broad and insightful, with many areas of the contemporary music industry covered, discussed and interrogated. The panel discussed with great energy over a two hour session, live performance and potential monetisation of creative output, as well as how to sustain a creative career. The talks were attended by local students and musicians alike, insights were shared and experiences of how diverse the industry can be were laid bare in what was a very frank and honest appraisal of where we are in the music industry in 2019. Those that attended will have gained an insight into what it takes to be successful within the music sector in 2019, and indeed how that very success can be measured in real world contexts. New relationships were formed between panelists, and those that attended.
Moving further into the afternoon the focus shifted to live performance. Students from the Exeter centre Level 3 Diploma performed as duos or soloists in the café bar. The sense of comradery was there for all to see, as friends sang along with each others songs, and encouraged all those that were performing. Outside on the deck some of the Foundation Degree production students were performing dance and DJ sets in the sun, and helping to set the scene for the evenings’ performers to take to the main stage.
The main stage music event kicked off at 6.30 with students from the Exeter Rock Club playing a 30 minute set. The Rock Club operates from the Exeter Academy of Music & Sound on a Saturday morning each week in term time. Students aged between 12 and 16 were given the opportunity to play the main stage, full lights, PA and smoke machines added to their experience and some very tidy covers opened the main stage.
Next up were the Music Diploma students. The groups made seamless changeovers between acts (using two drum kits) laying out a diverse set of soul, funk, reggae and rock. There was a wonderful mixture of female and male talent working together as a team to provide 45 minutes of thoroughly engaging music with excellent crowd interaction and superb standards of singing and playing. There were so many highlights, but the dual guitar solos in ‘Hotel California’ and incredibly convincing vocal work on ‘Whole Lotta Love’ really stood out. They all excelled and we're so excited to see what they do next. Many of these students are going on to study at Foundation or BA level with us.
First Person then took to the stage for their set of original songs mixing grunge, rock and occasional reggae with flair and style. They are a stylish outfit, with an eclectic set of original songs. The members are from the Foundation Degree and BA Top-up courses – they also played on the One Big Showcase at Bearded Theory 2019.
The Quinces were on at 2100, with frontman Robbin Hann having graduated from the BA (hons) course last year. A rowdy garage band from Torbay, playing plenty of festivals this summer with their brand of orignial indie rock. The main stage was now well and truly jumping with the energy these guys bring to their performances.
The finale was a set from Patter Pusher. First in their regular lineup of drums, bass/guitar, keyboard and vocals, and then as a super group with added Academy of Music & Sound alumni for the finale.
Patter Pusher are developing quite a following, and their brand of catchy synth pop and rock got the audience at the Phoenix jumping shortly after 2145. The band has a great energy, an infectious desire to please those watching, and this comes across in swathes to all those watching. There are many smiles at a Patter Pusher performance, from the guys in the band to all of those watching and even their tech!
After 30 minutes of original material the regular trio of Ben Green, Alex Johnstone and Ben Connibear were joined by AMS alumni Dan Cosgrove on bass, Becky Grinham on vocals, Rohan Knowles on guitar and Tom White on percussion. The now larger band had an understandably fuller sound, and this ramped the party atmosphere up several notches! By the time Exeter centre manager Laura Wright joined the party for the finale with her tenor sax the audience were putty in their hands.
The grooves and moves were plentiful and the professionalism and outpouring of great vibes were there for all to see.
Here’s to another 25 years!
View all the photos from the event here:
Play at Altitude Village Festival 2019 (Devon, Cornwall & Somerset)
Are you a band/performer in the Devon/Cornwall/Somerset area? We’re looking for YOU to join us at Altitude Village Festival 2019!
Exeter’s Academy of Music & Sound is collaborating with Altitude to introduce exciting new acts on their Horizon stage. The festival will run on the 14th – 15th of June and is situated amongst the beautiful Blackdown Hills near the sleepy village of Blackborough.
‘There’s nothing better than watching the sun go down to a great soundtrack with a drink in hand, a happy stomach and in good company. Perfect for families, for the seasoned festival-goer or if you’re just dipping your toe, Altitude has something for everyone.’ – Altitude Village Festival
This will be the festival’s 4th year. After taking a fallow year in 2018 Altitude have focused on making 2019 even bigger and better. Some acts already announced are The Bluetones, Land of the Giants, The Allergies and Pattern Pusher, with more to come…
To get involved complete and submit the form below. Please try and provide as many links as possible, the more we can see you performing the better. We will contact the submissions who have been selected to play, after the submission deadline – January 31st 2018.
This is a competition to nurture music and talent in the local area and as such is limited to applications from artists based in either Devon, Cornwall or Somerset only. Applicants under 16 will need permission from their parents to enter and must have a responsible adult with them onsite.
www.academyofmusic.ac.uk // Follow us on Twitter @Academyms and Instagram @ams_uk // www.altitudedevon.com
APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED
Experienced Musicians
FAST-TRACK onto the final year of a BA (Hons). We map your career experience by Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) against the first two years of a degree allowing you to progress onto the final year and achieve a full BA (Hons) Study Online or in Glasgow, Gateshead, Edinburgh, Exeter and Southampton . For more info email: [email protected]
Giving the Power Back to the Musician
We’re very excited to be developing a new course for 2019 that has been created for the modern musician and producer, to equip you with the skills to be independent, multi-skilled and fluent with various forms of multi-media. Long gone are the days where you need a record deal to ‘make it’. We have created a degree that gives the power back to the musician. Giving you the ability to use different skills to draw-on different income streams, as well as produce, release and manage your own music.
Academy of Music and Sound Academic Partners