Young London: Into Music new urban youth festival

Young London: Into Music – a new urban youth festival aimed at developing the next generation of talent in east London – was announced today. A series of five individual events – produced and delivered in the five Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs of Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest – takes place between 26th June and 2nd August 2009.  Young London: Into Music is delivered in partnership with Biggafish, Continental Drifts, Music Matrix, Rising Tide and Urban Development. Over 100 young people between 14 and 25 years old will receive professional mentoring and the chance to work with established artists. Each event will showcase some of the boroughs rising stars, alongside the hottest names in grime, dance, dubstep and indie. So far artists such as Bashy, Ms Dynamite, Roachford, Leon Jean Marie, Double S, Ghetts and MOBO award winning Akala have been confirmed as performing artists.  A large part of the group who will be mentored by Young London: Into Music fall under the socially excluded banner and are ‘Not in Employment, Education or Training’ (NEET). By working with industry professionals, the young participants will be inspired; engage in the development of new music content; curate, produce and promote a series of events alongside high profile artists. ‘Young London: Into Music’ will be created by young people, for young people.  The project will foster links between participants and record labels, publishers, promoters, broadcasters, producers and artists; in addition to instilling self-confidence and professional work experience to all its youth contributors. Young London: Into Music is a key strand of CREATE09 – the multi-genre, multi-event festival of culture that will be celebrating a wealth of music and art in all its glory in the Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs between 22nd June and 2nd August 2009.