A concert allowing ‘The Next Generation’ of young bands to take to the stage and perform will take place in Jesmond this week.

City Youth Music regularly hosts a music night for young musicians to perform in Jesmond, the latest of which will be staged at 7:30pm on October 24th. The concert will see the local young bands, including The Rock Project, Just War Theory, Until We Fall, and Forty Thieves performing at the Newcastle Cricket Club. Free entry tickets are available from the bands, or entry without a ticket is £3 on the door.

“The bands are brilliant,” said James Harrison, a youth worker at City Youth Music. “When I was in their age, I would never be sounded like this when I played, it is very interesting to see how good they are. This night belongs to the younger people, all of them are under 15, which is very young. That is the reason we decided to name the event ‘The Next Generation’, and the music they do is great.”

“We provide a safe environment for them to play and perform, alcohol is regulated, and we try to make parents also feel relaxed,” Harrison added. “We provide kids a chance to give a try before they go into jobs, and it is fun as well; kids should have fun.”

City Youth Music was established in 2009 as the Jesmond Youth Music Group, funded by Newcastle City Council, with an aim of providing more opportunities to young musicians who live in Jesmond to show their talents in local music concerts and events. These are usually held on Friday nights around Jesmond for young bands to perform live, and for young people to participate.

“The most important thing it about music is the networking,” explained Harrison. “You have to know people to get a job, so it is experience for them about what the future actually will be like. I’m really happy to see these young kids change: at first some of them were shy, and then they turned confident. It’s good to see this; it definitely benefits somebody changing and growing up.”

City Youth Music is not just hosting live events; it plans to record an EP, with more information on their Facebook page.