Shetland-Music.com

The Shetland Youth Music Forum Conference and Gig will take place on Saturday 16 May at the Sandveien Neighbourhood Centre. The Shetland Arts event will begin with seminars held by local music industry professionals followed by an open floor conference. The day will culminate in an alcohol free gig featuring Oscar Charlie, the young Shetland band now based in Glasgow, and The Fire And I.

Everyone with an interest in youth music including young people, events organisers, musicians, educators, technicians, business people, industry professionals and community workers is welcome to attend.

Seminars 1.00pm-4.00pm

The seminars will start at 1pm. Speakers will include Marvin Smith, band manager, studio operator and co-owner of Bleatbeat records, together with members of Oscar Charlie, who will focus on artist management and promotion.

Davie Gardner of Atlantic Edge Music Services and Richard Wemyss, Events and Venues Manager at Shetland Arts, will host seminars on Event Management, covering topics including health and safety, crowd management and promotion.

Fraser Mouat and Stevie Hook, music teachers and sound and lighting engineers, will host seminars on audio technology and recording software, and provide demonstrations of equipment and techniques. Fraser Mouat said "The seminars offer a great chance for people involved in youth music to speak to folk involved with some very interesting projects, and pick up some skills and knowledge along the way."

Conference 4.30pm-6.30pm

The conference will begin at 4.30pm and cover a range subjects relevant to local youth music issues. Bryan Peterson, Shetland Arts Music Development Officer said "It's an excellent opportunity for everyone involved in youth music provision to get together, share knowledge and discuss plans for the future. Shetland is at an important stage for youth music development, particularly with Mareel on the horizon and the college about to start offering further education courses in music. We hope that everyone takes the opportunity to come along and make their voices heard"

Visitors will also be able to find information on subjects including the jazz development initiative, electronic music production, noise awareness week, upcoming youth concerts, further education courses, Mareel and music development initiatives

Gig featuring Oscar Charlie, The Fire And I, Happy Hour, Calibre + support - 7.30pm-11.00pm

The evening concert, co-organised by the Shetland Young Promoters Group, starts at 7.30 and will be headlined by Oscar Charlie and The Fire And I.

• www.myspace.com/oscarcharlieband
• www.myspace.com/thefireandi

Oscar Charlie were formed in Shetland before moving to Glasgow amid a flurry of record company interest in September 2007. Since then the band have released several E.P.s, become a regular fixture on the Glasgow music scene and played prestigious events around the UK, including the "In The City" international music conference in Manchester last year.

The Fire And I are a two-piece electro rock band whose members come from Bathgate and Mexico City. The band tour regularly around Britain, having supported acts including Amy Macdonald, Biffy Clyro and The Young Knives.

Oscar Charlie's lead singer Reuben Quinn said "Its great to be coming back to Shetland for gigs. I'm looking forward to playing to familiar faces again. The Fire & I are coming with us. They are superb. It's really good to be asked to do the Youth Music Forum Conference. Anything that helps Shetland's young bands has to be supported.... that's the law"

Support will come from local groups Happy Hour and Calibre who have recently been taking part in the Youth Music Workshops held throughout Shetland. The concert is an alcohol free event open to over 14s.

Tickets and booking info

The seminars and conference are free but booking is advised as numbers are limited. The evening concert is £5. Tickets are available from the Shetland Box Office, Islesburgh Community Centre, Lerwick - 01595 745 555

The event is part of the Shetland Youth Music Forum, organised in conjunction with the Shetland Young Promoters Group.

For more information contact:
Bryan Peterson, Music Development Officer, Shetland Arts
T - 01595 743 843
E -