A world of sound will fill the air as Lyme Regis prepares for the third annual Big Mix youth music festival on 4 July.
This year’s line up promises everything from West African dance rhythms and beatboxing, to indie power pop and opera, all in a fabulous open-air arena on the Marine Theatre Square, overlooking Lyme Bay and the stunning Jurassic Coast.
Promoted by young people’s music charity B Sharp, whose core values of creativity, expression and integrity run through the festival, the Big Mix is placing the spotlight on youth enterprise and opportunity with a range of fringe activities including skate, scoot and biking events and a ‘crafter-noon’ area run by young artists that includes a hooping workshop, table making and hair braiding.
“This year’s Big Mix is going to be something quite different,” says co-producer Pete Wild. “The music is really diverse and along with a wider range of workshops and other activities, as well as amazing festival food, there will be something everyone of all ages.”
The main focus of the hugely popular one-day festival is a showcase of the most exciting and vibrant young music acts from the region and further afield, most of which have close links with B Sharp.
Co-headliners KOG & the Zongo Brigade were voted runners up in Glastonbury’s emerging talent contest last year, securing them a slot at this year’s festival where they’ll play on three stages. Fronted by Ghanaian-born songwriter KOG, the nine-piece ensemble are just back from a European tour in support of the seven-track Akwaaba Live EP.
Originally from Dorset, The RPMs are thrilled to be returning to play the Big Mix following a support tour with The Beat and a slot at this year’s pre-Glastonbury Pilton Party.
“We’re really looking forward to playing for B Sharp again,” says singer Jack Valero, who hails from Bridport. “We really had so much fun when we played for them before and they were very supportive in those first few days of us starting out as a band. The Big Mix just keeps getting bigger every year. It’s really great because it’s pretty much the only music festival for aspiring musicians in the Dorset area to perform at. So keep it up!”
Other musical highlights include Bridport singer songwriter and B Sharp young music leader Ella Squirrell, Weymouth-based grime artists SouthDub and Plymouth pop jazzers Joanna Clark and Nathan Austin.
“The Big Mix is also a fantastic showcase formusic created at B Sharp’s weekly Hub Jam sessions,” says B Sharp director Fran Williams. “Alumni come back to work with us and young people can use the event to gain experience in the industry working alongside a highly professional production team providing invaluable experience and potential career pathways for young musicians technicians, artists and event organisers.”
The Big Mix runs from 1pm to 11pm in Theatre Square, Lyme Regis. Tickets (£5, U18s £1) are selling fast and are strictly limited. To avoid disappointment organisers recommend booking now from Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138.
