Presenting Stereopress…
Stereopress is The Grand’s youth-led promoter and programming group. This project allows us to support a small group of future music promoters and event managers as they learn the art of planning gigs, booking artists and marketing/promoting these gigs, as well as bringing the live music scene to life in Clitheroe and surrounding areas.
They hope to carry on their strong streak of great events with their upcoming gig on 1st September with headliners British Birds, with support from local acoustic artist Kayleigh Hall. As well as this, the Young Promoters have collaborated with the Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues club to present Afrobeat-inspired rock-funk-psych band, Agbeko on Saturday 21st October.
Words from Billy, Marketing:
Earlier this year, we launched youth-led programming group Stereopress. The group is committed to delivering an eclectic mix of music and arts events for young people in Clitheroe, with exciting live performances at venues in and around our town. The project was conceived towards the end of 2022, when Zak Burgess approached the Grand with a plan to develop a music scene right here in East Lancashire. After recruiting a group of similarly enthusiastic young music fans, preparations for Stereopress’ pilot event began. Assisted by Emily & Matty from the Grand, playing the part of responsible adults, the six of us worked together in a variety of roles. Zak took on the job of event manager, with Billy and Harry in marketing, Sacha as artist liaison, Kat in charge of stage management and finance, and Ty on tech.
On April 14th, the group hosted Strangely White and Corey Devine in a packed-out debut at the Old School Rooms. It was followed three months later by another successful outing, in which our very own Cats on Leads supported the excellent post-punk outfit UHR, who even brought along their own merch stand. Having members who are so tuned-in to the local music scene has allowed Stereopress to put on events of the highest quality. Both gigs were free to enter, as part of our commitment to making these live music experiences as accessible as possible.
Along with the likes of So It Goes and Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues, Stereopress hope to build on the burgeoning music scene in Clitheroe by continuing to promote local talent and encourage creative collaboration. We’ve been grateful that the Old School Rooms have provided us with an ideal space for our early ventures, which we hope to continue using for future events. In fact, it’s set to be the venue for our next gig, which will take place on September 1st. Another date for your diaries is October 18th, when Stereopress will partner with RVJB to present Afrobeat-inspired Agbeko at the Grand. Tickets are available here: https://www.thegrandvenue.co.uk/events/stereo-press-presents-agbeko/
Words from Zak, Event Manager:
The grassroot venues are important to getting bands well known and them getting that reputation. What’s important to me is giving a band/artist a new audience, and giving an audience a new band/artist.
Zak Burgess, Event Manager (Stereopress)
Make sure to follow the Stereopress socials for more updates: